Mosques arent's only for praying
Posted on
July 19, 2007
{7/19/2007 08:42:00 PM} This Sunday, a carnival at Tampines Green Park will have sporting events and hip programmes like a song-writing competition as well as performances by bands.
Local singers like Imran Ajmain and Malaysian singer Mu'adz will be part of the festivities.
But this is no ordinary carnival.
Called Youth Power in Harmony, it is organised by seven mosque, with the support of the North East Community Development Council, targeted at youths aged 13 to 20 years old.
It is free and open to all. It's the first time that these mosques have come together to organise such an event.
Their aim? To reach out to youths unfamiliar with mosque activities and to raise awareness that mosques have youth-friendly events.
Project adviser Haji Abdul Matin, 54, told The New Paper that mosque leaders are aware that youths in the 13 to 20 age group are their most vulnerable as they might get involved in gangs, crime or other delinquent behaviour.
Some impressionable ones may even embrace deviant teachings if left unguided.
Mr Mohd Helmy Mohd Isa, head of Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's youth engagement strategic unit, said: 'The idea is to change the perception that mosques are only meant for praying."
"We want to create more space for youths... and make them feel that mosques have tapped on their youth development officiers to try novel approaches.
There are already signs that some of these outreach programmes are working.
Youth development officer Mr Sofyan Mohd Yadi, 26, of Pasir Ris' Al-Istighfar Mosque, noted up to a 30 per cent increase in the number of youths attending activities in his mosque compared to two years ago.
They are also grooming youths for leadership renewal, said fellow youth development officer Ahmad Khushairi Abidin, 25, of Darul Ghufran Mosque in Tampines.
For example, seven youths, some as young as 15, are being rostered in his mosque to say the call to prayers and lead the congregation.
Sources from: The New Paper, 19th July 2007