Planning of muslim worship place (MWP) in Sabah case study : district of Penampang

Abstract

Sabah is a state of diverse ethnics and religions. Despite the multiracial and religious life, it is not a barrier for people in the state to work together in building a strong social institution. This can be seen from the establishment of a religious institution that is built especially in the capital city of Kota Kinabalu, where masjid, churches and temples are built just next to each other. However, towards the improvements of technologies in Malaysia, people have become very intellectual and have resorted in demanding for religious equalities.Hence, this research attempts to examine the foremost leading factors behind the refusals in the applications for masjid development, through analysing the planning process of the masjid in Malaysia. The objectives of this paper are- to identify the provision process of a masjid in the research area, to obtain the factors towards the contestation of a freestanding building, i.e., a masjid in the research area, and to recommend approaches for the provision of a masjid in areas where the majority are non-Muslims. This research uses a qualitative approach as the guide and method to obtain the required data, as well as interviews conducted with officers from JPBW, JHEAINS, JKK Penampang, Penampang District Council, Penampang District Office, and JK Masjid Waqaf Penampang. Accordingly, a thematic analysis is the method that will be used to analyse the data that are obtained. The result from the interviews will describe the prime factors towards the objection of the masjid development. Through the analysis, this research concludes by developing comprehensive guidelines, and reduce the Islamic architectural form in the construction of the masjid.