Critical factors for successful mosques / Abdul Wahab Murni

This study focuses on the critical factors of successful mosque particularly in Kuching area. By studying how people perceived mosque performance, this study tries to identify the critical factors beside spotting weak spots that might exists in existing mosque management or marketing that causes Muslims to neglect coming to that particular mosque compared to other mosque that is more successful. This study also focuses on customer’s level of satisfaction on existing mosque management and conditions of the mosque that they often visit. The purpose is to know what is the customer’s satisfaction level in relation to why mosques are not fully utilized. For this study, I have distributed 150 questionnaires to various respondents in getting their opinions on how they perceived on what is most important for a successful mosque and evaluate mosque performance nearest to them. Out of 150, only 131 questionnaires was collected or valid for processing. From this research, I have found that Muslims still accepts mosque as a place for religious purpose. Certain matters that arise in their everyday lives makes them busy and neglect coming to the mosque. A minority number of Muslims may not have proper Islamic education and cannot read the Quran may also cause them to be unaware about the importance of visiting the mosque and its effects that may arise to the community. It was founded that the location or distance of mosque affects Muslim preferences in visiting the mosque. Most Muslims agree that mosque performance can be measured through the number of jam’ah coming to the mosque and that mosque performance is highly related to mosque management. Most respondents agree that the most important factor is in evaluating mosque cleanliness, followed by environment, the mosque management committee and the imam’s ability or talent. They also agree that most Muslims don’t visit the mosque frequently because they are busy with other activities.