SUNGAI PETANI, April 9 (Bernama) -- The Al Busyra Mosque in Merbok near here has taken a new approach in an attempt to enliven the mosque by organising a Ramadan bazaar within its compound.

The imam and the mosque chairman, Mohd Firdaus Mat Akhir, 35 said the move could encourage Muslims, especially the young generation to perform their prayers there and eventually get them closer to the mosque.

“It has always been our intention to turn the mosque using the concept of R&R mosque (rest and service) to enliven the mosque, then came the idea of having a Ramadan bazaar within the compounds since we have enough space to set up a bazaar under the supervision of the mosque’s cooperative.

"When people come to buy food to break their fast here they can stop by if they have not performed their Asar prayer, this will eventually enliven the mosque further,” he said when met by reporters at the mosque recently.

Mohd Firdaus said the idea to open a Ramadan bazaar within the compound was first implemented last year with the participation of 20 traders but it only opened for several days due to the lack of publicity.

"Alhamdulillah, this year, the response is overwhelming, I am actively promoting the bazaar on social media platforms like TikTok to attract people to come to the bazaar this Ramadan,” he said adding that the effort managed to attract people from Perak and Penang to visit the bazaar and the mosque.

Mohd Firdaus said there were 50 traders at the bazaar where the rental for each lot is as low as RM500 with facilities such as tents plus water and electricity, adding that the food is sold at a reasonable price.

 "We also have a lucky draw for visitors to the bazaar and the main prize is a gold bracelet," he said.

There are plans to expand the bazaar by between 200 and 250 tents next year, he added.

-- BERNAMA