Kuala lumpur: It is not uncommon for non-Muslims, especially tourists, to visit major mosques in the country, with Masjid Negara (National Mosque) in Kuala Lumpur and Masjid Putra in Putrajaya - also known as the 'Pink Mosque' among foreign visitors - being among the top attractions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) noted that three of its mosques - Masjid Putra, Masjid Negara, and Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in Putrajaya (also known as the Iron Mosque) - received nearly one million visitors last year. Meanwhile, the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, was reported as saying that based on its 2018 study, there are over 80 mosques in the country with strong potential to become Islamic tourism products.
In the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, this matter warrants greater attention, especially in strengthening Malaysia's position as the top destination on the Global Muslim Travel Index, a ranking it has held for 10 consecutive years since 2015.
To this end, ITC recommends that mosque institutions in Malaysia embrace the latest technologies to promote the beauty of Islamic architecture, cultural values, and al-Din Islamic teachings (a way of life sanctioned by Allah) to potential visitors. ITC acting director-general Nur Alyssa Coraline Yussin emphasized that such efforts would not only position mosques as inclusive institutions but also generate supplementary income to benefit the community.
"Technology can act as a catalyst in transforming mosques into spiritual and community-based tourism destinations. Through digital technology, mosques can expand their global reach in a more interactive and effective manner," she said in a recent interview here with Bernama. She highlighted the use of Quick Response (QR) codes as a method that allows visitors to quickly access information about a mosque and other relevant topics.
She also discussed the potential of social media as a broad and continuous platform for promotion, where activities such as community events, religious talks, or spiritual educational content can be shared creatively. This approach can attract the attention of younger generations and tourists, enhancing the image of mosques as modern, relevant, and community-friendly spaces.
Nur Alyssa also underscored the potential of mosques as Islamic tourism products to improve the socioeconomic standing of local communities through the sale of locally made goods such as food and handicrafts. She suggested that mosque administrators organize community-focused programs, such as Mosque Open Days, to introduce visitors to the mosque's history, architecture, and social role in society.
Perak state mosque, Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II in Ipoh, is already seizing the opportunity to attract more visitors and has implemented various innovative measures to ensure visitors experience the warmth of Islam toward followers of other faiths. According to its Chief Imam Abd Farid Salleh, the mosque offers skilled translators as well as staff trained in the hospitality industry to guide visitors.
Nur Alyssa also stressed the importance of strategic collaboration to ensure that mosque tourism is comprehensive and sustainable. She highlighted the need for mosques to collaborate with industry players, such as travel agencies, to include mosques in spiritual or cultural tourism itineraries, attracting more visitors who wish to learn about Islam.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fazil Khan Abdul Kadir, managing director of Mitra Kembara Group, noted that most tourists, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, are interested in visiting mosques during their travels in Malaysia as long as the experience is relevant and easily accessible. He stressed the importance of support from mosque institutions for the tourism initiative, including providing clear information on visitor etiquette and guidelines to ensure a meaningful experience.