Credit : Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof's X
SIBU, October 24, 2026 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof has called on mosques and surau in Sarawak to broaden their role beyond worship and become centres of knowledge, character building, unity and community welfare.
He made the call when officiating the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Mosque Management and Enlivenment Conference (Muktamar Pengurusan dan Pengimarahan Masjid Sarawak) for the Central Zone, held in conjunction with the Sarawak Islamic Council’s Ziarah Mahabbah 1448H/2026 programme in Sibu on Saturday, October 24. “Dalam ucapan, saya mengingatkan bahawa Masjid bukan sekadar tempat beribadah, tetapi pusat ilmu, pembinaan akhlak, perpaduan dan kebajikan masyarakat,” he wrote in a post on X, which translates as “In my speech, I reminded that the mosque is not merely a place of worship, but a centre of knowledge, character building, unity and community welfare.”
https://x.com/PetraJayaMP/status/2114035395453423940
Beyond worship and religious classes
In his post, Fadillah said efforts to enliven mosques should cover worship, family education, youth development, volunteerism and assistance for those in need. He added that in Sarawak’s diverse society, mosques must continue to instil noble values, moderation, harmony and a caring attitude.
Utusan Sarawak reported that he urged mosque and surau committees to take the initiative to invite experts in fields such as health and parenting to share their knowledge with the community, so that the institutions would be closer to the needs of local residents. The Borneo Post said he suggested programmes such as health talks by medical professionals and parenting guidance by specialists.
Livestreams and clean toilets
Fadillah also encouraged committees to harness technology to widen the reach of their programmes, including by setting up networks to livestream educational sessions between mosques and surau, according to Utusan Sarawak and The Malaysia Press. Livestreaming, he was reported as saying, would allow knowledge to reach a wider audience beyond those who attend in person.
He stressed the importance of cleanliness, particularly in mosque and surau toilets, as a reflection of Islam’s emphasis on purity. “Islam is pure. When we visit other countries such as Japan, their toilets are very clean. Such standards of cleanliness should be fundamental to how we manage and administer our mosques,” he said, as quoted by the Borneo Post.
Quality over numbers
The Deputy Prime Minister also said Muslims in Sarawak should keep improving their knowledge, economic strength and character so that they can meet the challenges that come with the state’s progress. “Di Sarawak ini, kita tidak mempunyai kuantiti jemaah yang ramai, tetapi kuantiti tidak penting, kualitilah yang kita perlukan,” he said, as reported by Utusan Sarawak, meaning “Here in Sarawak, we do not have a large number of congregants, but quantity is not important; it is quality that we need.” He added that such quality would only come about if Islamic values were truly applied in society.
In his X post, Fadillah said cooperation between the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), mosque committees, the Islamic Welfare Trust Board and community leaders was vital to these efforts. Utusan Sarawak reported that he also handed over manuals on mosque and surau enlivenment and on the conduct of Friday prayers in Sarawak to representatives at the event.
According to the Borneo Post, the two-day conference, held on October 23 and 24 and organised by MIS, brought together representatives of mosques and surau from the Sibu, Sarikei, Mukah and Kapit divisions, with the aim of strengthening ties between the council and mosque and surau management committees. Those present included State Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, MIS president Datuk Misnu Taha and JAIS director Datu Mual Suaud.
Source : Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof’s X (https://x.com/PetraJayaMP/status/2114035395453423940), with additional reporting from Utusan Sarawak, The Malaysia Press and the Borneo Post.
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