DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN MOSQUE-CENTRED SOCIO-ECONOMIC (MCS) INITIATIVES: A CASE STUDY OF AL-BUSYRA MOSQUE MERBOK, KEDAH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/AIJBES.828048Keywords:
Mosque-Centred Socio-Economic, Mosque, Muslim Community, Independent T-Test, One-Way ANOVA, Demographic FactorsAbstract
The mosque is increasingly recognized as a multi-dimensional institution capable of addressing contemporary challenges beyond traditional ritual practices. Driven by challenges like limited funding, poor infrastructure, and weak communal ties (Asabiyyah), recent literature emphasizes assessing congregational satisfaction within mosque-based centre. This study examines whether demographic characteristics influence the Muslim community's decision to engage with Mosque-Centred Socio-economic (MCS) initiatives at Al-Busyra Mosque, Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia. Using a quantitative case study approach, survey data were collected 420 respondents from Muslim residents within the Kuala Muda district. An Independent T-Test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were employed to evaluate differences in engagement across major demographic backgrounds. The Independent T-Test revealed no statistically significant difference in MCS engagement between male and female respondents, demonstrating that both genders participate in and accept mosque-based socio-economic activities equally. Conversely, the One-Way ANOVA indicated highly significant differences in community engagement based on age, and education level. These findings indicate that socio-demographic backgrounds heavily shape how individuals perceive and access mosque-based programs. This research contributes empirical evidence to the scarce quantitative literature on MCS engagement by highlighting the necessity of integrated demographic planning. Pragmatically, the results assist mosque administrators and policymakers in moving past uniform designs toward inclusive, targeted interventions that satisfy diverse communal needs, ultimately strengthening the contemporary mosque’s role as a sustainable catalyst for holistic socio-economic growth.
Downloads
References
Albaity, M., & Rahman, M. (2021). Customer loyalty towards Islamic banks: The mediating role of trust and attitude. Sustainability, 13(19), Article 10758. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910758
Amer, A., Karban, A., Majid, M. A., Majrashi, A., & Saleh, M. (2021). Integrating visitor satisfaction and management efficiency metrics inside municipal environments. Journal of Administrative and Social Sciences Research, 8(3), 211–226.
Atharizadeh, M. (2021). The multidimensional historical mosque: Mapping civic networks from the classical era to modern urban frameworks. Islamic Quarterly, 65(2), 175–193.
Azhar, A., Hussein, M., & Utarberta, A. (2025). Structural integrity and congregational attitude tracking toward spatial resource optimization in urban mosques. Built Environment Journal, 22(1), 77–94.
Azizan, N., Zulkifli, M., & Kadar, A. (2023). Attitudinal metrics and behavioral frameworks of mosque-based target spaces. International Journal of Social and Educational Engineering, 17(4), 512–527.
Begashe, A., Mgonja, J. T., & Matotola, S. (2024). Post-visit behavioral intentions and travel motivations of female return visitors to historical destinations and religious tourist sites in Tanzania. African Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 12(2), 140–158.
Bigano, A., Hamilton, J. M., & Tol, R. S. J. (2006). The impact of climate on holiday destination choice. Climatic Change, 76(3-4), 389–406. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9051-5
Chatterjee, J., & Dsilva, N. (2021). A study on the role of social media in promoting sustainable tourism in the states of Assam and Odisha. Tourism Critiques: Practice and Theory, 2(1), 74–90. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-09-2020-0021
Cokrohadisumarto, W. B., & Sari, M. (2024). Financial sustainability and infrastructure gaps in regional mosques: Overcoming structural barriers to local socio-economic deployment. Journal of Islamic Microfinance and Communal Welfare, 6(2), 89–104.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Dellaert, B. G. C., Arentze, T. A., & Horeni, O. (2014). Tourists’ mental representations of complex travel decision problems. Journal of Travel Research, 53(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287513491332
Fernando Almeida, F. (2020). Demographics and spatial pull-factors: Assessing the weight of age variations on socio-cultural event selection. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 71, Article 100824.
Fernando, R., Hasanuddin, M., Rangga, A., & Utama, S. (2022). Restoring the historical paradigm of mosque operations: Welfare distribution, education, and dispute resolution models. Journal of Shariah and Civic Governance, 5(1), 12–30.
Fu, X., Sittithai, T., & Chankoson, T. (2023). Factors affecting the development of Lipu Yi costumes: Intangible cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 15(3), 525–541. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-05-2022-0068
Giyanti, R., & Asiah, N. (2024). Revitalizing Asabiyyah (social cohesion) through contemporary mosque hubs: An empirical evaluation of community-congregant relationships. Journal of Muslim Communal Dynamics, 11(1), 14–29.
Gonzalez-Reverte, M., Gomis-Lopez, J. M., & Díaz-Luque, P. (2022). Sociodemographic determinants of destination selection: Analyzing behavioral differences in community participation networks. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 20(3), 321–343.
Hao, H., Alderman, D. H., & Long, P. (2014). Homeowner attitudes toward tourism in a mountain resort community. Tourism Geographies, 16(3), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2014.891152
Hasan, Z., Ismail, S., & Omar, N. (2022). Sustainable Islamic economic development in Southeast Asia: Examining innovative community programs in contemporary Malaysian mosques. Asian Journal of Islamic Economics, 14(3), 144–161.
Hassan, M., & Salleh, R. (2019). The predictive weight of educational background on community engagement profiles within local grassroots platforms. Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences, 2(2), 90–103.
Ibn Manzur, M. (2009). Lisan al-Arab. Dar Sader. (Original work published c. 1290).
Ikhmal, M. A., Fadzil, A. M., Azman, H., Kamarul, Z., & Omar, M. F. (2020). E-Mosque applications and digital deployment: Empowering community welfare programs at the Abdullah Fahim Mosque. Journal of Digital Systems and Islamic Applications, 4(2), 65–82.
Isa, Z., & Muhammad, N. (2017). Zakat and Sadaqah optimizations within regional community institutions: A catalyst for grassroot microfinance distribution. Journal of Islamic Philanthropy and Social Finance, 1(2), 33–48.
Ismail, S., & Hassan, A. (2019). Gender distribution patterns inside religious administrative spaces: Shifting trends in community welfare and educational operations. Gender and Society in Islamic Contexts, 3(1), 54–71.
Joyeeta, C., & Nigel, R. (2021). A study on the role of social media in promoting sustainable tourism in the states of Assam and Odisha. Tourism Critiques: Practice and Theory, 2(1), 74–90. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-09-2020-0021
Kara, N. S., & Mkwizu, K. H. (2020). Demographic factors and travel motivation among leisure tourists in Tanzania. International Hospitality Review, 34(1), 81–103. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-01-2020-0002
Keden, M., Md Salleh, A., Mahat, N., Mohd Omar, R., & Sulaiman, S. (2025). Attitudinal frameworks and operational optimization of ritual administrative management: A study on Qurban management in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Islamic Management and Governance, 7(1), 202–218.
Khalli, M. N. M., & Sharif, M. F. M. (2024). Masjid-based disaster management: How masjids in Malaysia support the needy. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 32(S4), 29–46. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.32.s4.02
Khalid, A. (2020). Local entrepreneurship and commercial revitalization: Designing policy frameworks for mosque-based bazaars. Malaysian Journal of Economic Studies, 57(2), 241–258.
Khan, F. R., & Krishnamurthy, J. (2016). Future proofing of tourism entrepreneurship in Oman: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 8(1), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-02-2016-0002
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/000144947003000308
Lamido, A. A., & Haneef, M. A. (2021). Revitalizing structural assets: Repositioning the contemporary mosque to address socio-economic vulnerabilities within localized Muslim cohorts. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance, 4(1), 101–124.
Linnes, C., Weinland, J. T., Ronzoni, G., Lema, J., & Agrusa, J. (2022). Sociodemographic tracking of local production consumption: Measuring generational behavioral variances across cohort lines. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 5(4), 812–831.
Ma, A. T. H., Chow, A. S. Y., Cheung, L. T. O., Lee, L. Y. K., & Liu, S. (2018). Impacts of tourists’ sociodemographic characteristics on the travel motivation and satisfaction: The case of protected areas in South China. Sustainability, 10(10), Article 3388. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103388
Majid, M. A., Shupian, M. K., Moktar, A., Ahmad Effat, M., Razak, I. A., Zaidi, M. S., Hassim, M. N., & Abdullah, A. (2022). Performance appraisal and congregational satisfaction under crisis constraints: Evaluating the KUIPSAS Mosque management during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Journal of Islamic Management and Higher Education, 11(2), 150–167.
Md Noor, N., Idris, M. A., Atan, R., & Azman, N. H. (2024). E-payment system deployment as a tool for financial mobilization and fundraising in rural Selangor mosques. Journal of Financial Technology and Islamic Systems, 8(1), 40–58.
Mustain, M. (2023). Evaluating structural parameters and public awareness configurations of community-based socio-economic hubs in Kedah (Unpublished master’s thesis). Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Nordin, M. N., & Norazam, M. S. (2021). Familial leadership and situational constraints on congregational prayer frequency: An analysis of Muslim communities in Simpang Renggam, Johor. Journal of Islamic Family and Social Systems, 9(2), 112–129.
Qayyum, A., Sahad, M. N., & Wan Jusoh, W. J. (2022). Digital transformations in regional institutions: User-centered application metrics within Malaysian communities. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 17(Special Issue 3), 12–27.
Rahman, A., & Ahmad, S. (2020). Cohort variances in grassroot institutional alignment: Dissecting preferences for transactional economic vs. relational welfare operations. Journal of Demographic and Generational Studies, 4(2), 87–104.
Ramírez, R., & Portillo, M. (2020). What role does tourist's educational motivation play in promoting religious tourism among travellers? Annals of Leisure Research, 23(3), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2019.1601053
Rasdi, M. T. M. (2007). The architectural identity and operational evolution of the contemporary Malaysian mosque. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Press.
Saleh, M. S., & Mohamad, N. (2021). Assessing regional neighborhood alignment and environmental design on performance indicators of neighborhood mosques. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 36(4), 1643–1661.
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2019). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Siddique, M. Z., & Hossain, M. A. (2018). Sources of consumers awareness toward green products and its impact on purchasing decision in Bangladesh. Journal of Sustainable Development, 11(3), 9–22.
Struwig, M., & Du Preez, R. (2024). The role of demographic factors on destination choices and community space participation frameworks. South African Journal of Business Management, 55(1), 104–119.
Thalassinos, I. E., Cristea, M., & Noja, G. G. (2019). Measuring active ageing within the European Union: Implications on economic development. Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, 14(4), 591–609. https://doi.org/10.4467/23538392EQ.19.034.11413
Yaacob, H. (2016). Conceptual layouts and operational dynamics for the institutionalization of Mosque-Centred Socio-economics (MCS). Islamic Development Bank Research Institute.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Yuan, Y., Chan, C. S., Eichelberger, S., Ma, H., & Pikkemaat, B. (2021). The effect of social media on travel planning process by Chinese tourists: The way forward to tourism futures. Journal of Tourism Futures, 7(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-03-2020-0033
Yusoff, R. K., Kamdari, N., & Masri, D. N. (2013). Selection factors of the acceptance Al-Ijarah Thumma Al-Bay (AITAB) in Shah Alam [Conference presentation paper]. 5th Islamic Economics System Conference (ECONS 2013), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yusoff, M. Z., Mohd Yusoff, A. R., & Seman, S. A. (2023). Behavioral determinants of congregational obligatory prayers and community programs at local mosques in Kelantan. Journal of Islamic Social Sciences and Humanities, 14(2), 115–132.
Zaidi, M. F., Yusof, N., Sahari, N., Shaik Hussain, S. F., & Utaberta, N. (2025). Framework of mosque visitors’ satisfaction: Expanding the structural paradigm of Islamic community socio-economic centers. International Journal of Islamic Architecture and Community Well-Being, 9(1), 45–62.
Zawawi, M., & Ishak, M. S. (2024). Quantitative evaluation models for tracking structural performance metrics in religious community centers. Journal of Policy and Applied Quantitative Methods, 19(1), 58–75.
Zhou, L. (2023). Intersectionality of intrinsic religiosity and structural lifestyle changes among modern East and Southeast Asian communities. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 62(2), 295–314.
