Mosques play vital role as deradicalisation centres to tackle terrorism - Ahmad Zahid

Mosques play a vital role as deradicalisation centres for society especially Muslims so that they will not involve in terrorist activities, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

However, he said such an effort needed to be implemented through the "wasatiyyah" (moderation) concept and in a consistent manner to rehabilitate and curb such activities in the country.

"A statuesque mosque should be enlivened with various programmes or activities that are not seasonal. It (the mosque) should serve as a centre for religious rituals, knowledge and the social institution.

"These three elements will be difficult to achieve if there is no commitment from the congregation members and the management of the mosque. No matter how beautiful the mosque is, it will be meaningless if the efforts to enliven the mosque cannot be delivered," he said in his speech for the opening ceremony of the Salmah Khamis Mosque here today.

The RM12 million mosque, which was opened by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, is built on a 0.8-hectare site and can accommodate a congregation of 1,000.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Ahmad Zahid said deradicalisation programmes in the country were implemented ever since the Communist threat surfaced in 1948 and were modified during the time of the Al-Maunah, Jemaah Islamiyah and the Malaysian Mujahideen Movement (KMM) radical groups, which planned at creating an Islamic caliphate.

He said Islamic radicals did not have solid foundation in religion and were looking for the quickest way to go into heaven.

The deputy prime minister also said that the establishment of a regional counter-messaging centre in Malaysia showed the world's community had faith in the country in the fight against terrorism.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid said the mosque, endowed to Melaka Baitulmal, was named after his mother and father-in-law. - BERNAMA