PERCEPTIONS OF MOSQUE ADMINISTRATORS AND

MOSQUE GOERS ON MOSQUE LIBRARIES IN THE

STATE OF SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

BY

NUR LEYNI NILAM PUTRI JUNURHAM

A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for

the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and

Information Science

Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology

International Islamic University Malaysia

APRIL 2019

ii

ABSTRACT

A mosque plays an important role as a centre for spreading Islam. This has been

proven since the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Mosque libraries are vital in

opening up readership opportunities to the society. However, only limited empirical

studies looked into the establishment of Mosque libraries, particularly on the

perceptions of mosque administrators and mosque goers. This study attempted to

explore the current situation of mosque libraries in the state of Selangor. In this

regard, the perceptions of mosque administrators and mosque goers towards mosque

libraries were examined. The research objectives were; RO1: To identify the current

state of mosque libraries in selected districts of Selangor, RO2: To examine the

perceptions of mosque administrators of mosque libraries, and RO3: To examine the

perceptions of mosque goers of mosque libraries. Ten mosques from the Districts in

Selangor were selected for the study. Qualitative and quantitative methods were

employed, and data were gathered through interviews and questionnaires. Ten mosque

administrators were selected and two hundred eighty (280) mosque goers were

involved as respondents. In order to ensure the validity of data collected and analysed,

the triangulation technique was employed. The findings show that, most mosques

have reading corners and few libraries. Three out of ten selected mosques have a

specific room for libraries. Moreover, the collections were acquired through donation

and all were about religion. Besides, staffs manning the library were not qualified, and

they spent most of their time on mosque activities instead of mosque library activities.

Only one mosque has an annual budget for acquiring library materials and other

library purposes. The perceptions of mosque administrators and mosque goers were

positive about mosque libraries. The study revealed that mosque libraries were

important in certain activities including reference, relaxation, and socializing. The

existence and development of mosque libraries depended on certain factors as

revealed from the findings such as sufficient staffs, reading habits, understanding with

regards to mosque libraries’ roles and functions, location, sufficient space provision,

and high Key Performance Indicator (KPI) in relation to JAIS assessment. This study

revealed that mosque libraries were not given the necessary assistance to perform their

roles and functions to support leisure reading, learning and information seeking in the

mosques. Recommendations based on these findings were that the annual budget for

mosques could be reviewed, governing authorities to provide policy and advice on

mosque libraries, administrators be trained to manage and promote mosque libraries.

Generally, the mosque administrators and mosque goers perceived mosque libraries as

important. Hence, this study contributed a guideline for improvement of mosque

libraries in Selangor as there were few publications conducted under this study.

iii

ة البحثخلاصABSTRACT IN ARABIC

. كما نبي صلى الله عليه وسلممن المنذ ز تلعب المساجد دورا رئيسياً وهاماً في نشر الإسلامومع ذلك، هناك القليل .فرص القراءة للمجتمع إتاحةتلعب مكتبات المساجد دورا حيويا في

من الدراسات التجريبية التي أجريت حتى الآن في مجال مكتبات المساجد خاصة تلك التي تهدف هذه الدراسة يخص مكتبات المساجد. فيما تتناول تصورات مسؤولي المساجد وروادها

ف الوضع الحالي لمكتبات المساجد في ولاية سيلانجور. وفي هذا الصدد، تم استكشا إلىكما جاءت .تجاه مكتبات المساجدإفحص تصورات كل من مسؤولي المساجد وممثليها

الهدف الأول من البحث هو التعرف على الوضع الحالي لمكتبات :أهداف البحث كالتاليسيلانجور، اما الهدف الثاني فهو دراسة تصورات ةالمناطق المختارة في ولاي عضب المساجد في

دراسة تصورات فهو والأخير الهدف الثالث مسؤولي المساجد عن مكتبات المساجد، بينما( مساجد من 10الباحث باختيار عشرة ) قام المساجد عن مكتبات المساجد. كما مسؤولي

استخدام أسلوب البحث النوعي على اعتمد البحث وقد مقاطعة سيلانجور لهذه الدراسة.والكمي، حيث تم جمع البيانات من خلال المقابلات والاستبيانات. حيث تم اختيار عشرة

( من رواد المساجد تم اشراكهم 280من مديري المساجد بالإضافة الى مائتان وثمانون )، تم لتي تم جمعها وتحليلهاومن أجل ضمان صحة البيانات ا ن.لاستبيااعلى كمستجيبين

(. أشارت النتائج إلى أن معظم triangulation techniqueاستخدام تقنية التثليث )ثلاثة من أصل صصة للقراءة. وأنخعدد قليل من المكتبات وكذلك الزوايا الم االمساجد له

على ستخدم كمكتبة. كما انه تم الحصولتعشرة من المساجد المختارة لديها غرفة محددة لمكتبية من خلال التبرع ومعظمها كانت عن الدين. كما ان الدراسة بينت معظم المطبوعات ا

الذين يديرون المكتبة غير مؤهلين وانهم كانوا يقضون معظم وقتهم في أنشطة ينأن الموظفالمسجد. ومن بين النتائج المستخلصة أيضا أنه من بين عشرة مساجد، يوجد مسجد واحد

لى المواد المكتبية وغيرها من أغراض المكتبة. وقد يزانية سنوية للحصول عفقط لديه ماضطلعت مكتبات المساجد بأنشطة ترويجية محدودة. كما أظهرت الدراسة ان تصورات

iv

مسؤولي المساجد ومساعدي المساجد كانت إيجابية حول مكتبات المساجد. وكشفت راجع، الاسترخاء، بعض الأنشطة كمزود للمالدراسة أيضا أن مكتبات المساجد ذات اهميه في

كما كشفت النتائج أن وجود مكتبات المساجد وتطويرها يعتمد على والتنشئة الاجتماعية. القراءة،بعض العوامل التي كشفت عنها النتائج مثل عدد كافٍ من الموظفين، وعادات

ضاأيو كافية، مساحة وفيروت والموقع، المساجد،والتفاهم فيما يتعلق بأدوار ووظائف مكتبات ( فيما يتعلق Key Performance Indicator (KPI)) مؤشر أداء رئيسي مرتفع

وكشفت هذه الدراسة أيضا أن مكتبات المساجد لم تحصل على المساعدة JAISبتقييم اللازمة لأداء أدوارها ووظائفها لدعم القراءة والتعلم والبحث عن المعلومات في المساجد. كما

ايضا واستنادا لهذه النتائج بتقديم بعض التوصيات كالتالي: إمكانية مراجعة الباحث قامجد، وعلى السلطات الحاكمة أيضا ان تقوم بتقديم السياسات والمشورة الميزانية السنوية للمسا

اللازمة بشأن مكتبات المساجد، وتدريب المسؤولين على إدارة مكتبات المساجد والترويج لها. ام، اعتبر مسؤولو المساجد وروادها أن مكتبات المساجد مهمة جدا. كما ساهمت بشكل ع

ين مكتبات المساجد في سيلانجور وذلك لوجود عدد هذه الدراسة في دليل توجيهي لتحس .قليل من المنشورات التي أجريت في إطار هذه الدراسة

v

APPROVAL PAGE

The dissertation of Nur Leyni Nilam Junurham has been approved by the following:

_____________________________

Wan Ali Wan Mamat

Supervisor

_____________________________

Basri Hj. Hassan

Co-Supervisor

_____________________________

Roslina Othman

Internal Examiner

_____________________________

Wan Ab. Kadir Wan Dollah

External Examiner

_____________________________

Shaheen Majid

External Examiner

_____________________________

Fouad Mahmoud

Chairman

vi

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my own investigations, except

where otherwise stated. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently

submitted as a whole for any other degrees at IIUM or other institutions.

Nur Leyni Nilam Putri Junurham

Signature ........................................................... Date .........................................

vii

COPYRIGHT

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF

FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH

PERCEPTIONS OF MOSQUE ADMINISTRATORS AND

MOSQUE GOERS ON MOSQUE LIBRARIES IN THE STATE OF

SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

I declare that the copyright holders of this dissertation are jointly owned by the student

and IIUM.

Copyright © 2019 Nur Leyni Nilam Putri Junurham and International Islamic University Malaysia. All

rights reserved.

No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder

except as provided below

1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research may

only be used by others in their writing with due acknowledgement.

2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies (print

or electronic) for institutional and academic purposes.

3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieved system

and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested by other

universities and research libraries.

By signing this form, I acknowledged that I have read and understand the IIUM

Intellectual Property Right and Commercialization policy.

Affirmed by Nur Leyni Nilam Putri Junurham

……..…………………….. ………………………..

Signature Date

viii

DEDICATION

This dissertation is dedicated to to my dearest Mom and Father whose constant love

and du’a reached me here today and to my beloved husband for his support and

understanding.

ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to express my immeasurable praise and gratitude to

Almighty Allah, for his abundant love and mercy, and for blessing me in so many

ways through my PhD journey. There are many people who deserve the thanks for

helping me to reach the end of this journey with their beneficial ideas and guidance.

My special thanks to my parents Mr. Junurham Roma and Mrs. Rosnawaty

Dahlan. The consistent encouragement from my siblings, Adham, Mira, SyahJaya,

Nurul and also my family-in-law. I sincerely thank you all for your du’a and ardent

support. May Allah bless us all!

Dr. Wan Ali Wan Mamat, I am expressly grateful for your guidance and

support throughout my study. I thank Allah for choosing you as my supervisor

because I believe He is the best of planners. May Allah bless and reward you in this

life and the hereafter. My appreciation also goes to my co-supervisor Dr. Basri

Hassan. I am expressly grateful for your insights and suggestions which have been a

constant guidance in my research, and for your encouragement and care which have

strengthened me to overcome the hardships I have gone through. Thank you for all the

time and support you have spared for me. May Allah bless and accepts all your good

deeds. I am also highly indebted to Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bakeri who I seek guidance in

accomplishing my PhD journey, thank you for sticking with me especially on time of

need. I ask Allah SWT to reward you and your entire family in this duniya and

hereafter.

I would also like to thank the KICT’s staffs, especially the Department Head of

Library and Information Science, my post-viva supervisor Prof. Dr. Roslina Othman,

both academic and administrative, for their input directly or indirectly to the

successful completion of my PhD. I also acknowledge the valuable contribution of my

scholarship Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and International Islamic University

Malaysia (IIUM) for granting me opportunity to pursue my study.

I also have deep appreciation for those who granted me with their ideas and

opinions, especially Dr. Zainabu, Mdm Sikujua, Dr. Ashraf Ali. And also not

forgetting to express my cordial appreciation to my friends who were always at my

side even being absent. I have greatly benefited from all of you and very much

thankful ever. I am also grateful to the mosque administrators in Selangor and the

respondents who participated in my research. Your sharing is highly valuable and

most appreciated.

Last but not least, my deepest gratitude goes to my beloved husband

Mohammad Haris Latif. I cannot thank you enough for your inestimable love and

support. I appreciate your encouragement and support in all ramifications throughout

my task to completing this dissertation. This journey wouldn’t have been success story

without you. I glorify Allah for having you and I pray may we be blessed and happy

forever till Jannah! (Aamiin)!

x

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract ........................................................................................................................ ii Abstract in Arabic ........................................................................................................ iii

Approval Page .............................................................................................................. v Declaration ................................................................................................................... vi Copyright ..................................................................................................................... vii Dedication .................................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... ix

List of Tables ............................................................................................................... xiii List of Figures .............................................................................................................. xx List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................... xxi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview ................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Islam and Mosque Administration in Malaysia .............................. 1

1.1.2 Role of Mosque during Prophet and Golden Era ............................ 4 1.1.3 The Concept of Mosque Libraries .................................................. 9

1.1.4 The establishment of Mosque Libraries ......................................... 12 1.1.5 Reading Habits in Malaysia ............................................................ 15

1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................... 16

1.3 Research Questions ................................................................................... 19

1.4 Research Objectives .................................................................................. 19 1.5 Significance of the Research ..................................................................... 19

1.6 Scope and Limitations of Research ........................................................... 21 1.7 Methodology ............................................................................................. 22 1.8 Operational Definitions ............................................................................. 23

1.9 Outline of the Thesis ................................................................................. 25

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................... 26 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 26 2.2 Mosque and Its Functions ......................................................................... 26

2.2.1 Mosque as a Worshipping Centre ................................................... 28

2.2.2 Mosque as a Community Centre..................................................... 30 2.2.3 Mosque as an Education Centre ..................................................... 32

2.3 Mosque Libraries in Digital Forms ........................................................... 37 2.4 Mosque Libraries in the Muslim World .................................................... 39 2.5 Mosque Libraries in Malay World ............................................................ 49 2.6 Mosque Libraries in Malaysia ................................................................... 50 2.7 Challenges Faced by Mosque Libraries .................................................... 53

2.8 Summary ................................................................................................... 58

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................ 59 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 59 3.2 Research Design ........................................................................................ 59

3.2.1 Qualitative Design .......................................................................... 59 3.2.2 Quantitative Design ........................................................................ 62

xi

3.3 Study Population ....................................................................................... 63 3.3.1 Sampling ......................................................................................... 64

3.3.2 Sampling design .............................................................................. 66 3.3.3 Sample Selection Strategies ............................................................ 66

3.4 Data Collection.......................................................................................... 68 3.4.1 Qualitative Data Collection ............................................................ 68 3.4.2 Quantitative Data Collection .......................................................... 69

3.5 Data Collection Techniques ...................................................................... 70 3.5.1 Interviews ....................................................................................... 70 3.5.2 Questionnaires ................................................................................ 73

3.6 Data collection procedures ........................................................................ 74 3.7 Data analysis ............................................................................................. 75

3.7.1 Qualitative Data Analysis ............................................................... 75 3.7.1.1 Transcribing and Coding the Data ..................................... 76

3.7.1.2 Translation ......................................................................... 79 3.7.2 Quantitative Data Analysis ............................................................. 79

3.8 Reliability and Validity ............................................................................. 80 3.8.1 Triangulation ................................................................................... 80

3.8.2 Peer examination ............................................................................ 82 3.8.3 Conformability ................................................................................ 82

3.8.4 Dependability .................................................................................. 82 3.8.5 Pilot study ....................................................................................... 83

3.9 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................. 85

3.10 Chapter Summary..................................................................................... 85

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS .............. 87 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 87

4.2 Data Analysis - Interview.......................................................................... 87 4.2.1 Demographic of Respondents ......................................................... 88

4.2.1.1 Demographic Profiles of the Mosque Administrators ....... 88 4.2.2 The Current state of Mosque Libraries in selected mosque

districts of Selangor ........................................................................ 90

4.2.2.1 The Library Collection and its organization ...................... 93 4.2.2.2 Library Personnel .............................................................. 101 4.2.2.3 Budget................................................................................ 103

4.2.2.4 Promotion .......................................................................... 105

4.2.2.5 Service and Facilities ......................................................... 107 4.2.2.6 Location of libraries and Mosque reading corners

within mosque ................................................................... 108

4.2.3 Perceptions of Mosque Administrators on Mosque Libraries ........ 109 4.2.3.1 Perceptions about the Importance of Mosque

Libraries ............................................................................. 109 4.2.3.2 Perception on the challenges of mosque libraries ............. 113

4.3 Data Analysis -Survey Questionnaire ....................................................... 120

4.3.1 Descriptive analysis ........................................................................ 120 4.3.2 Demographic Information of Mosque Goers .................................. 120 4.3.3 Level of awareness and opinion on Mosque Libraries ................... 123 4.3.4 Current status of Mosque libraries .................................................. 132

4.3.5 Perception on the importance of mosque library ............................ 149

xii

4.3.6 Perception on the Challenges of mosque libraries .......................... 154 4.4 Triangulation ............................................................................................. 195

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....... 213 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 213 5.2 Overview of Findings ................................................................................ 213 5.3 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................ 219

5.4 Contributions ............................................................................................. 219 5.5 Recommendations ..................................................................................... 220 5.6 Future Works ............................................................................................. 222 5.7 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 222

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 224

APPENDIX A: INFORMED CONSENT FORM ................................................. 237 APPENDIX B: RESEARCH INTERVIEW QUESTIONS .................................. 238 APPENDIX C: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE ...................................................... 239 APPENDIX D: SAMPLE OF MOSQUE ADMINISTRATOR

TRANSCRIPTION ........................................................................ 243 APPENDIX E: SAMPLE OF JAIS OFFICER TRANSCRIPTION ................... 257

APPENDIX F: SAMPLE OF LETTER TO CONDUCT SURVEY ................... 271

xiii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1 Distribution of mosques recorded in Malaysia from year

2016- 2018 3

Table 3.1 Sample of Population of Respondents in State of Selangor

Malaysia 63

Table 3.2 Sample Distribution for qualitative 65

Table 3.3 Interview Transcriptions 76

Table 3.4 Coding of the Interview 78

Table 3.5 Notation Conventions of the transcriptions* 78

Table 4.1 Demographic data of Mosque administrators 89

Table 4.2 Demographic Information (N = 280) 120

Table 4.3 Breakdown of Age vs. Level of Education 121

Table 4.4 Breakdown of Age vs. Employment status 123

Table 4.5 Awareness on the existence of Mosque Library 124

Table 4.6 Mosque Library Visited 124

Table 4.7 Breakdown of awareness of the existence of mosque library

vs. Gender 125

Table 4.8 Breakdown of awareness of the existence of mosque library

vs. Level of Education 126

Table 4.9 Usage of mosque library 126

Table 4.10 Breakdown of Usage of Mosque Library vs. Gender 127

Table 4.11 Breakdown of Usage of Mosque Library vs. Level of

Education 128

Table 4.12 Frequency usage of Mosque library 129

Table 4.13 Responses on the importance of Mosque library 129

Table 4.14 Breakdown of the importance of Mosque library vs. Age 130

Table 4.15 Breakdown of the importance of Mosque Library vs. Level of

Education 130

xiv

Table 4.16 Perception about Mosque Library 132

Table 4.17 Current status of Mosque Library 132

Table 4.18 Breakdown of Awareness of the existence of Mosque Library

vs. Library facilities 134

Table 4.19 Breakdown of Experience on the Usage of Mosque Library

vs. Library facilities 135

Table 4.20 The frequency on the usage of Mosque Library vs. Library

facilities 135

Table 4.21 Breakdown of Awareness on the Existence of Mosque

Library vs. Reading corner 137

Table 4.22 Breakdown of Experience on the usage of Mosque Library

vs. Reading corner 137

Table 4.23 Breakdown of the Frequency on the Usage of Mosque

Library vs. Reading corner 138

Table 4.24 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Reading

Corner 139

Table 4.25 Awareness on the Existence of Mosque Library vs. Special

Rooms for Mosque library 140

Table 4.26 Breakdown of Experience on the Usage of Mosque Library

vs. Special Rooms for Mosque library 141

Table 4.27 Breakdown of the Frequency on the Usage of Mosque

Library vs. Special Rooms for Mosque library 141

Table 4.28 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Special

Rooms for Mosque library 142

Table 4.29 Breakdown of the Existence of library will increase the

number of mosque goers vs. Awareness on the existence of

mosque library 143

Table 4.30 The Experience on the Usage of mosque library vs. Existence

of library will increase the number of mosque goers 144

Table 4.31 Breakdown of the Frequent on the usage of mosque library

vs. Existence of library will increase the number of mosque

goers 144

Table 4.32 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs.

Existence of library will increase the number of mosque

goers 145

xv

Table 4.33 Breakdown of Level of Education vs. Mosque library

supports the learning process 146

Table 4.34 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

library supports the learning process 147

Table 4.35 Breakdown of the Experience on the Usage of Mosque

library vs. Skilled staff are needed to operate Mosque Library

effectively 148

Table 4.36 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Skilled

staff are needed to operate Mosque Library effectively 148

Table 4.37 Perception on the importance of Mosque Libraries 150

Table 4.38 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

Libraries Improve the Community's Reading Habits 151

Table 4.39 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

Libraries are Useful for Getting References 151

Table 4.40 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

Library serve alternative places for children 152

Table 4.41 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

Library serve as avenues for meeting with friends 153

Table 4.42 Breakdown of the Importance of Mosque Library vs. Mosque

library can be used for relaxation purpose 154

Table 4.43 Perception on the Challenges of Mosque Library 155

Table 4.44 Breakdown of Low reading interest among community

members vs. Mosque library supports the learning process 156

Table 4.45 Breakdown of Low Reading Interest among Community

Members vs. Mosque libraries improve the community's

reading habits 157

Table 4.46 Breakdown of Lack of Financial Support vs. Library facilities 158

Table 4.47 Breakdown of Lack of Financial support vs. Reading corner 159

Table 4.48 Breakdown of Lack of Financial support vs. Special Rooms

for Mosque Library 159

Table 4.49 Breakdown of Lack of financial support vs. Skilled staff are

needed to operate Mosque Library effectively 160

Table 4.50 Breakdown of Lack of financial support vs. Mosque Library

serve alternative places for children 161

xvi

Table 4.51 Mosque library location vs. Special Rooms for Mosque

library 162

Table 4.52 Breakdown of Mosque library location vs. Mosque library

supports the learning process 163

Table 4.53 Breakdown of Technology advancement vs. Mosque library

supports the learning process 164

Table 4.54 Breakdown of Insufficient staff vs. Skilled staff are needed to

operate Mosque Library effectively 165

Table 4.55 Breakdown of Insufficient Space vs. Library Facilities 166

Table 4.56 Breakdown of Insufficient Space vs. Special Rooms for

Mosque library 166

Table 4.57 Breakdown of Insufficient space vs. Mosque Library serve

alternative places for children 167

Table 4.58 Breakdown of Insufficient Space vs. Mosque Library serve as

meeting place with friends 168

Table 4.59 Breakdown of Less promotion vs. Skilled staff are needed to

operate Mosque Library 169

Table 4.60 Type of Collections expected to be in Mosque library 169

Table 4.61 Breakdown of Books vs. Mosque library supports the

learning process 170

Table 4.62 Books vs. Mosque Libraries improve the community's

reading habits 170

Table 4.63 Breakdown of Books vs. Mosque libraries are useful for

getting references 171

Table 4.64 Breakdown of Books vs. Low Reading interest among

Community Members 171

Table 4.65 Breakdown of Magazines vs. Mosque library supports the

Learning Process 172

Table 4.66 Breakdown of Magazines vs. Mosque Libraries improves the

Community's Reading Habits 172

Table 4.67 Breakdown of Magazines vs. Mosque library is useful for

getting references 173

Table 4.68 Breakdown of Magazines vs. Low Reading Interest among

Community Members 173

xvii

Table 4.69 Breakdown of Newspapers vs. Mosque library supports the

learning process 174

Table 4.70 Breakdown of Newspapers vs. Mosque library Improves the

Community's Reading Habits 174

Table 4.71 Breakdown of Newspapers vs. Mosque Library is Useful for

Getting References 175

Table 4.72 Breakdown of Newspapers vs. Low Reading Interest among

Community Members 175

Table 4.73 Breakdown of Electronic & Digital Collection vs. Mosque

library supports the learning process 176

Table 4.74 Breakdown of Electronic & Digital Collection vs. Mosque

Library Improves the Community's Reading Habits 176

Table 4.75 Breakdown of Electronic & Digital Collection vs. Mosque

Library is useful for getting references 177

Table 4.76 Breakdown of Electronic & Digital Collection vs. Low

Reading Interest among Community Members 177

Table 4.77 Type of Reading Materials 178

Table 4.78 Breakdown of Islamic Collection vs. Mosque library supports

the learning process 178

Table 4.79 Breakdown of Islamic Collection vs. Mosque Library

Improves the Community's Reading Habits 179

Table 4.80 Breakdown of Islamic Collection vs. Mosque Library is

Useful for Getting References 179

Table 4.81 Breakdown of Islamic Collection vs. Age 180

Table 4.82 Breakdown of Law Collection vs. Level of Education 180

Table 4.83 Breakdown of Law Collection vs. Mosque Libraries Improve

the Community's Reading Habits 181

Table 4.84 Law Collection vs. Mosque Libraries are Useful for Getting

References 182

Table 4.85 Breakdown of Psychology Collection vs. Gender 182

Table 4.86 Breakdown of Psychology Collection vs. Mosque Library

Supports the Learning Process 183

Table 4.87 Breakdown of Psychology Collection vs. Mosque Libraries

Improve the Community's Reading Habits 183

xviii

Table 4.88 Breakdown of Economic Collection vs. Mosque Library

Supports the Learning Process 184

Table 4.89 Breakdown of Economic Collection vs. Mosque Libraries

Improve the Community's Reading Habits 184

Table 4.90 Breakdown of Economic Collection vs. Mosque Libraries are

Useful for Getting References 185

Table 4.91 Breakdown of Leisure Collection vs. Mosque Library

Supports the Learning Process 186

Table 4.92 Breakdown of Leisure Collection vs. Mosque Libraries

Improve the Community's Reading Habits 186

Table 4.93 Breakdown of Leisure Collection vs. Mosque Libraries are

Useful for Getting References 187

Table 4.94 Breakdown of Leisure Collection vs. Low Reading Interest

among Community Members 187

Table 4.95 Facilities that Mosque Library should provide 188

Table 4.96 Breakdown of Table and Chair vs. Mosque library supports

the learning process 188

Table 4.97 Breakdown of Table and Chair vs. Mosque Libraries Improve

the Community's Reading Habits 189

Table 4.98 Breakdown of Table and Chair vs. Low Reading Interest

among Community Members 189

Table 4.99 Breakdown of Computer vs. Gender 190

Table 4.100 Breakdown of Computer vs. Mosque Library Supports the

Learning Process 190

Table 4.101 Breakdown of Computer vs. Mosque libraries improve the

community's reading habits 191

Table 4.102 Breakdown of Computer vs. Mosque Libraries are Useful for

Getting References 191

Table 4.103 Breakdown of Computer vs. Low Reading Interest among

Community Members 192

Table 4.104 Breakdown of WiFi/Internet Connection vs. Age 192

Table 4.105 Breakdown of WiFi/Internet Connection vs. Mosque Library

Supports the Learning Process 193

xix

Table 4.106 Breakdown of WiFi/Internet Connection vs. Mosque

Libraries Improve the Community's Reading Habits 193

Table 4.107 Breakdown of WiFi/Internet Connection vs. Mosque

Libraries are Useful for Getting References 194

Table 4.108 Suggestions on the Improvement of Mosque library 195

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3.1 Stages of data collection and data analysis 84

Figure 4.1 The Mosque Library of the District Mosque of Kuala Selangor 90

Figure 4.2 The Mosque Library of the District Mosque of Klang 90

Figure 4.3 The Mosque library of the State mosque 91

Figure 4.4 The Mosque Reading Corner of the District Mosque of Shah

Alam 92

Figure 4.5 The Mosque Reading Corner of the District Mosque of Sabak

Bernam 92

Figure 4.6 The Mosque Reading Corner of the District Mosque of Hulu

Selangor 93

Figure 4.7 The Religious Books Collection in State Mosque Library of

Selangor 95

Figure 4.8 The Religious Books Collection in Mosque Library of Klang 96

Figure 4.9 The Religious Books Collection in the Mosque Reading

Corner of Sabak Bernam 96

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

JAKIM Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia

JAIS Islamic Religious Department of Selangor/Jabatan Agama Islam

Selangor

JAIN Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri

PBUH Peace Be Upon Him

UU Undang-Undang / Law

1

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW

1.1.1 Islam and Mosque Administration in Malaysia

Malaysia is a Muslim dominated country, with more than 60% of her population being

Muslims (Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal, 2017). It is the second

most populated Muslim country in South East Asia, after Indonesia. Besides, Malaysia

is a multicultural society which consists of other religions such as Buddhism,

Hinduism, and Christianity. However, the status of Islam is exceptional among other

religions (Hassan, 2007) as it is recognized as the official religion in the Malaysian

constitution. Specifically, Articles 3 (1), (2) and (5) of the Malaysian constitution

regards Islam as the official religion, and this is also reflected in the Islamic values

and framework in administration of the government.

Moreover, Malaysia operates a constitutional monarchy (elective monarchy)

system of government which is normally headed by Yang Dipertuan Agong, generally

referred to as the King. The Yang Dipertuan Agong plays the role of the Head of the

Islamic religion, Head of State, and Supreme commander of the armed forces. He

also acts as the Head of State for the states which do not have Sultan (such as Penang,

Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak). Meanwhile, the Sultans are the heads of Islamic

religion in their respective states. Therefore, the constitution requires the

establishment of a council known as the Majlis Agama Islam (Islamic Religious

Council), in order to advise the Yang Dipertuan Agong and Sultans in performing

their function as the Head of the Islamic religion (Muhammad Haniff & Zuliza, 2016).

2

At the Federal level, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia

(JAKIM) coordinates programmes and activities relating to Islamic affairs. Hence, a

minister is appointed to manage and coordinate Islamic Affairs at the Prime Minister’s

Department (Shuhaimi and Abdullah, 2013). Meanwhile, at the State level, the

“Majlis Agama Islam” spearheads the administration of the Islamic religion. Mosques

in Malaysia fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs

for each State. This is similar to what exists in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran,

whereby all the mosques are organized and conducted by the local state government.

In contrast, this does not happen in countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan, where

the administration of the mosques is the responsibility of the community (Rastika,

2015).

In pre-colonial Malaya, religious institutions were locally administrated with

each village (kampung) having their own mosque or surau; and the appointment of

religious leaders were conducted by the head of village or “Penghulu” (Means, 1969).

However, these locally sustained institutions were changed when the British

restructured the religious administration with the treaties made with the Rulers. Thus,

it marked the beginning of the official role of rulers as the protectors of Malay

customs and Islam; because they were deprived of other administrative roles by the

British. By 1950s, most of Malay states had established their own religious

department to serve Malay Muslim community, and upon gaining independence,

Islam was officially declared as the religion of the Federation, enabling the state to

provide financial and other support to the Islamic authorities.

Islam and the Malay World has a unique peculiar relationship. Islam plays an

important role in the everyday life of the people of the Malay world. Therefore, Malay

world is very intimately attached to the Islamic teachings, and very close to the Arab

3

culture. The teachings and practices of Islam are expressed everywhere throughout the

Malay world. Generally, teaching practices take place in the mosque, madrasah, and

palace (Shuhaimi and Abdullah, 2012).

The existence of religious institutions at the very heart of the country’s

administration provides several advantages for the mosque management in Malaysia.

Although this institution was seen as an attempt to introduce corrective religious

measures in a secular state, it cannot be denied that the existence of these institutions

has enabled Malaysia to launch grand and ambitious mosque construction projects

(Nagata, 1997). Like other Muslim dominated countries, the mosque is an important

symbol of Islamic identities as well as the centre for community integrations.

The increasing number of mosques from time to time in Malaysia is a proof

that the government supports the establishment of Islamic institution (Table 1.1).

According to the latest survey, there are 6,324 mosques registered with the authority

in Malaysia (JAKIM, 2018). In 2015, RM1 billion was allocated to JAKIM in order to

fulfil its functions (JAKIM, 2015). The agency employed over 15,000 Imams, 34,000

Fardhu Ain and Kifayah (KAFA) teachers, and 4,000 takmir teachers nationwide.

Table 1.1: Distribution of mosques recorded in Malaysia from year 2016- 2018

Year Number of mosques

2016

2017 6230

2018 6324

Source: JAKIM, 2018

However, the records on allocations for mosques managed by the states’

Islamic departments vary and are inconclusive. There are no comprehensive data on

the details of the budget, allocations and resources of these mosques. Therefore, the