BAGAN DATUK, Aug 15 — Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today called for mosques to become an integral part of Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem while continuing to serve as places of worship, centres of da’wah and institutions that bring communities closer to Islam.
He made the remarks while officiating the National Mosque Open Day (NMOD) 2026 at Masjid Tuminah Hamidi here, which served as the first national venue for the programme held from August 13 to 15.
In a social media post reflecting on the event’s success, Zahid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk, expressed delight that the mosque had been chosen as the pioneering location. He thanked the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and the Perak state government for the trust.
“I have always believed that a prosperous mosque is one that is alive with worship, knowledge, brotherhood and service to the community,” he wrote. “Through programmes like this, we open the doors of the mosque to people from various backgrounds to come, see, ask and get to know Islam in an atmosphere full of adab, rahmah and mutual respect.”
Zahid also highlighted that Masjid Tuminah Hamidi — completed in 2023 as a waqf dedicated to his parents — has been designated the country’s 98th Tourism Mosque by the ITC under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. He said this status opens wider opportunities for locals and international visitors to experience the beauty of Islam, local culture and community life in Bagan Datuk.
Organised by the ITC, the three-day event featured a mix of spiritual, community, cultural, recreational and family activities at the mosque and Dataran Bagan Datuk. These included religious talks, qasidah performances, mosque tours, traditional games, sports competitions, calligraphy demonstrations and community festivals.
Zahid urged more mosques across the country to organise similar open-day programmes, saying they allow people of different backgrounds, ages and religions to engage with mosque institutions in a harmonious setting. He invited the public to visit Bagan Datuk and experience the uniqueness of Masjid Tuminah Hamidi and the hospitality of its people.
“Hopefully what has begun in Bagan Datuk will continue to expand nationwide and bring more people closer to mosque institutions, to understand Islam and to strengthen our relationships with one another,” he said.
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