Empowering Mosque Cooperatives for Development of The Ummah

Abstract

The poverty rate in Malaysia is still worrisome despite being at low rate. Various solutions have been made, including the movement of mosque cooperatives as the multi-function business centre to help and empower the community within via several solutions, such as provide financing, investment centre and halal food centre for Muslims. However, there is a number of community members that are being left out from enjoying the benefits and aids provided, and their lives are getting worse financially, especially during the pandemic of Covid-19. This article aims to examine the role of mosque cooperatives in economic empowerment of the ummah. The roles will be examined from the perspectives of business networking, and the information and governance systems of the mosque cooperatives. The study adopted the FGD with the key players related to mosque cooperatives, including authorities. The data collected was analysed using NVIVO. The results of the discussion were categorised into four main themes; acceptance, initiatives, action plans and key players. The participants agreed with the role of mosque cooperatives in empowering the ummah via various initiatives that have been taken place. Despite that, the problems arising within the mosque cooperatives have been identified and a few action plans have been discussed to rectify the arising matters together with the involvement of key players for the success of mosque cooperatives. The integration of cooperatives through mosques is a powerful tool in empowering the economic resilience of the community. The involvement of regulators, religious leaders and the community around the mosque towards the empowerment of the community within, especially the poor can help in organizing their lives better. The economic empowerment via mosque cooperatives is an initiative based on the local community around the mosque, thus mosque is not only a worship centre, but also a center for community’s economic empowerment.