EXCHANGING VIEWS: Awang Tengah (left) exchanging views with a guest at the closing of the Imam course in Lawas.
LAWAS: The quality of Imams and mosques are interrelated in ensuring that mosques remain relevant as a house of worship, centre of Islamic knowledge development, and the unification of Muslims.
Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said in this respect every Imam, as front liners, played an important role in uplifting the standard of Islam in their respective areas.
“Imams should manage mosques in a systematic and dynamic manner so that it could continue to play its role not just as a house of worship but also for the development of Islam as a whole,” he said at the closure of a course for Imams in Lawas on Thursday.
Also present were Lawas MP Dato Henry Sum Agong, deputy director-general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Razali Shahabudin, state Jakim director Abdul Hamid Mohamed Salleh, and the state Islamic Department director Abang Shamsuddin Abang Seruji.
Awang Tengah also reminded Imams of the multi-roles they play.
“Course like what we have today is important in an effort to enhance the skills of imam as they need to continuously increase their knowledge about the development of Islam. At the same time, they need to foster closer rapport with the local community.”
At the function, he presented certificates and awards of excellence to Imam from Limbang district, Umar Jumat (Imam 1 Masjid Kampung Pahlawan Limbang), and for Lawas district, Osman Lamit (Masjid Kampung Nor Islam, Kuala Lawas).