Masjid negara: Masjid Negara (National Mosque) will reinforce its role as a centre for community engagement by hosting the National Mosque Kuala Lumpur (MNKL) Carnival 2026 from Sept 16 to 20 at its premises. Masjid Negara Grand Imam Dr Amru Alhaz Adnan said the community-focused carnival would offer a variety of inclusive activities designed to promote unity, ukhuwah (brotherhood and sisterhood), and social cohesion among people of all races, religions, and ages.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the carnival will feature a variety of activities for children, youths, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and non-Muslims. "We do not want mosques to be perceived as serving only Muslims. Their role needs to be expanded," he said at a press conference on the carnival here today. He said the carnival seeks to showcase the National Mosque as an Islamic tourism attraction ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, following some 315,000 visits by international tourists in 2025.
Amru Alhaz said the carnival's highlight would be the MNKL Unity Fund Run, which aims to bring together about 1,500 participants from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds as a symbol of the country's unity. According to him, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, and Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari are expected to join the run, which will be held on the last day of the carnival.
Meanwhile, programme coordinator Suffian Ahmad Affindi said funds raised through the MNKL Unity Fund Run 2026 would be used to support community initiatives at the National Mosque, including aid for asnaf (tithe recipients) and charitable activities. He said runners would have the chance to win a range of prizes, including cash, tablets, smartphones, and umrah packages for five lucky draw winners, adding that registration will close on Sept 10, 2026.
The five-day carnival will also feature a food festival with more than 100 stalls, azan (call to prayer) and khat (Islamic calligraphy) competitions, e-sports, an explorace, a blood donation campaign, and nasyid (religious singing) performances. "The carnival will also include talks by several well-known Islamic speakers, including Ustaz Abdul Somad, Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias, and the Tiga Beradik group, alongside performances by artistes whose work follows Islamic guidelines," he said.
MNKL Carnival 2026 is expected to attract 25,000 to 30,000 visitors, with the event operating from 10 am to midnight.