What are the objectives of Mosque Tourism ? First of all , I wish to thank @ Halal magazine for giving Islamic Tourism Centre ( ITC ) this opportunity to share with readers about Mosque Tourism .

In the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 , which is our 10-year masterplan for the overall tourism industry in Malaysia , one of the key strategies is to enhance demand sophistication . It means nurturing demand for in-depth travel experiences in Malaysia and catering to customised travel needs to entice high-value tourists to stay longer and spend more .

Within that premise , ITC has actively thought through , innovated , and developed new products suitable to Muslim tourists coming to Malaysia based on their trends and preferences . One of them is Mosque Tourism .

Thus , to ITC the objective of Mosque Tourism is simple and focused i . e ., to leverage the best available product that is closest to the minds and hearts of Muslim travellers . This is not a new product as mosques have always been part and parcel of tourism products and attractions in the tour itineraries or packages , especially in many top Muslim holiday destinations , including Malaysia . For example , we can see Sultanahmet Mosque ( Blue Mosque ) in Istanbul , Turkey ; Al Azhar Mosque in Cairo , Egypt ; Sultan Mosque in Singapore ; Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan , Brunei ; Al Hilal Mosque in Jakarta , Indonesia ; and Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia .

To me , the word mosque or in Bahasa Melayu known as Masjid is synonymous with Muslims . A mosque is significant and unique to Islam from 1400 years ago and now . It is the intention and hope of Muslims to have the opportunity to visit three well known grand mosques in Islam namely Masjidil Haram in Mekah al Mukaramah , Masjid Nabawi in Madinah al Munawarah and Masjidil Aqsa in Baitulmaqdis .

If you notice , there are many mosques in Muslim countries and non-Muslim countries that have become an attraction in themselves , drawing interest from both Muslims and non-Muslims alike who appreciate the unique

One of the Mosque Tourism development activities in Sarawak attended by YB Dato ' Sri Nancy Shukri , Minister of Tourism , Arts and Culture , along with Datuk Wira Dr Noor Zari Hamat , Secretary General MOTAC , and Dato ' Dr Mohmed Razip Hasan , Director-General of ITC , at Masjid Darul Iman , Sadong Jaya , Sarawak .

design and history of these houses of worship . Adding to their appeal as a tourist attraction are the surrounding natural landscapes , lakes , heritage , unique communities , authentic cuisine , and other local attractions within the area .

In recent years , ITC has keenly observed the growing interest in Mosque Tourism . Recognising this trend and growing interest , ITC saw the demand for mosque tours to be conducted in a systematic , tourist-friendly way and for tourist-related facilities to serve these needs better .

As such , in the context of Islamic Tourism , our objectives for Mosque Tourism are to present Malaysia ’ s diverse culture , historical background , and Islamic identity through an appreciation for the architectural designs of mosques and their role in our society in a wellmanaged , innovative , and informative way . As I said earlier , mosques represent the lifestyle of the Muslim community of a destination

Dato ' Dr . Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan , Director-General , Islamic Tourism Centre pays a courtesy visit to Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh , Director-General of JAKIM , for discussions on Mosque Tourism and other matters pertaining to Islamic Tourism development .

through its activities , so it is one of the best ways for tourists to learn about the locals and how they live .

Our efforts under the Mosque Tourism initiative are to expand the role of the mosque not only as a place of worship but also as an Islamic tourism product that would allow more people , both Muslim and non-Muslim , to discover Malaysia and our diverse population , as well as how it all makes an impact upon our unique Islamic identity and way of life . While , from an economic perspective , this move will insha Allah provide a new source of income to the mosque and its surrounding community through the selling of merchandise and Islamic range of products and services . Some mosques have their cooperatives and commercial wings . ITC is confident , insha Allah , that with the right strategy and commitment , Mosque Tourism will bring tourists as buyers / consumers to the mosques while promoting the mosques as an institution of community excellence .

What are some of ITC ’ s efforts to develop Mosque Tourism ? I wish to recall the journey that ITC has taken to introduce Mosque Tourism as a niche product . Alhamdulillah , ITC facilitated the way and played a vital role in the development of Mosque Tourism by first recognising the opportunity , then sharing the importance of