Kota Kinabalu: The Local Government and Housing Ministry (KKTP) will work together with the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) and Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) to identify suraus in Sabah that require upgrading and improvements.
KKTP Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the ministry would also engage owners of shopping malls, markets and supermarkets to improve their respective prayer facilities to ensure suraus are more comfortable and accessible for Muslims to perform prayers and religious activities.
He said the initiative followed observations made during his visits to more than 20 districts with Muis and Jheains, where several suraus in public places, including markets and shopping malls, were found to require improvements.
“We have identified several suraus that need upgrading. Hence, I have also asked Jheains and Muis to engage and collaborate with shopping mall and supermarket owners who provide these prayer facilities so that we can jointly determine what assistance or improvements are needed.
“Most importantly, we want to ensure the comfort of worshippers and shoppers who use these prayer facilities,” he said.
Dr Mohd Arifin said this to reporters after officiating the upgrading of Surau Anjung Senja Kota Kinabalu, undertaken by Sedafiat Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), here on Friday.
Also present were Sedafiat Chief Executive Officer Datuk Awang Buthamam Ag Mahmun, State Mufti S.S Datuk Ustaz Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar, DBKK representatives and senior officials.
Dr Mohd Arifin, who is also the minister in charge of Islamic affairs in Sabah, said well-maintained suraus are important in encouraging greater use by the public.
“What is equally important is that the surau should be enlivened with religious and community activities.
“The upgraded surau can comfortably accommodate about 20 worshippers at a time, although its total capacity exceeds 30 and can reach up to 50 people. The adjacent outdoor area is capable of hosting around 100 people,” he said.
He hoped that the surau could serve as a venue for iftar gatherings and other community programmes beginning next Ramadan.
Dr Mohd Arifin also welcomed the upgrading of a surau at the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) building into a mosque, following approval by the State Mufti.
“The mosque on the second floor of the building is now open for Friday prayers. I have visited and prayed there, and the facilities are very comfortable.
“Government employees and members of the public in the surrounding area can now perform Friday prayers there,” he said.
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