Ipoh: The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM), in collaboration with the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), is preparing to host a significant two-day Regional Mosque Conference 2026 at a prominent hotel in Ipoh, starting tomorrow.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MAPIM president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid announced that the conference will gather approximately 400 mosque representatives from Malaysia and neighboring countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. There will also be special participation from Turkiye, Iran, and Pakistan.
The conference coincides with World Mosque Day, observed on August 21, which commemorates the 1969 arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Mohd Azmi expressed that the day should be more than a symbolic annual event. He emphasized the need to leverage it as an opportunity to rejuvenate the mosque's role as a central force within the Muslim community.
The conference aims to achieve seven primary objectives, including establishing a regional cooperation network among mosques, promoting active youth participation and community economic involvement, and enhancing collaboration with Islamic non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Mohd Azmi highlighted that the event will also serve as a platform for mosques and Islamic NGOs to develop a declaration and sustainable action plan for post-conference implementation. Attendees can expect academic presentations, international dialogues, and special discussions focused on Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Three major initiatives will be unveiled during the conference: a regional mosque coalition for Palestine, a book detailing the role of mosques, and the introduction of the MAPIM Gold Dinar to support the Al-Aqsa Mosque Fund.
The primary goal is to advocate for global humanitarian issues, particularly concerning Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Mohd Azmi stated that the MAPIM Gold Dinar will facilitate public contributions, and he expressed hope that the conference will significantly impact and encourage Muslims across the region to actively uphold and advance the role of mosques.