ENLIVENING THE MOSQUES THROUGH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES: A STUDY ON RURAL MOSQUES IN TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

In Islam, mosque considered as playing a very significant role. Its function is not only limited as a place of worship, but also as a community and education centre for Islamic studies. Since the last decade, the Malaysian Government has introduced several policies and strategies to enhance religious knowledge amongst Muslim community. One of the most important function of mosques have undertaken in this country is to become a centre of knowledge where religious educations are conducted after daily prayers, besides other activities to suit with the current spiritual needs of the surrounding Muslim community of the country. This paper, therefore, will discuss and elaborate religious education programs introduced in rural mosques in Terengganu, Malaysia besides evaluating its curriculum as well as teaching methodology. The study involves both qualitative and quantitative data. The quantitative data were gathered from the survey conducted on 653 respondents and analyzed using the descriptive statistics through mean, standard deviation and percentage. Research findings indicate that 81.7% of the respondents involved in the programs acknowledged the success of the programs. Their attendance and participation had enabled them to enhance their belief (aqidah). Through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions, the study revealed that teachings and lectures delivered by qualified religious teachers have tremendously increased numbers of Muslims coming to the mosques. Other factors such as good academic qualification of the religious teachers, flexible methods of teaching and the use of various Islamic books have indeed contributed greatly towards the effectiveness of the religious teachings in the mosques. The discussion therefore will be in the following sub topics: (1) religious education in Malaysia (2) the function of mosques in Muslim community; (3) religious education programs in rural mosques in Terengganu, Malaysia; (4) suggestion and implications and (5) conclusion.