Keeping busy: Children participating in a range of activities at the mosque’s ‘nursery’ while their parents take part in Terawih prayers.
NILAI: A mosque committee here has come up with an ingenious way to get more parents and guardians to attend terawih prayers after breaking fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
They can now ‘deposit’ their children at a nursery at the Dato’ Klana Petra Undang Luak Sungei Ujong Mosque, while they fulfil their religious obligation.
Mosque chief executive and imam Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said the idea to set up a nursery during Ramadan was conceived last year to encourage more parents to perform terawih prayers at the mosque.
“Previously, some children who came with their parents were boisterous and would interrupt those performing their prayers.
“So, to allow the parents to perform their prayers without any disruption and in comfort, we decided to set up the centre located in a hall within the mosque premises,” he said, adding that the nursery is open from 8pm till 10.30pm during the holy month.
Parents are not charged any fee for the service.
Mohd Yusof said the service is becoming popular as the number of parents sending their children to the nursery has increased compared to last year.
He said parents will have to first register and leave their contact numbers so they are reachable at any time.
“They need not worry about their children’s safety as the centre is manned by eight volunteers.
“While at the nursery, the children can play games including e-sports or watch video clips,” he said.
Mohd Yusof said the nursery receives an average of 100 children aged between three and nine years of age.
They are strictly not allowed to leave the nursery. Only their parents are allowed to take them out.
He said the initiative has been well received by parents as it also helps their children familiarise themselves with the place of worship.
“Coming to the mosque will let the young ones get closer to mosques and learn about the activities that are carried out here.”
The committee, he said, spent RM6,000 to rent some of the equipment at the nursery during the month.
Some of the items such as the games are provided for free by members of the community.
Mohd Yusof said the mosque committee also prepares buka puasa meals for some 1,500 congregants daily.
He said the food is put on 300 trays and each is shared by four or five individuals.
“This is an old Malay tradition and also practised in other communities such as the Javanese and Arabs to strengthen bonds and promote unity in the community,” he said, adding that the food is paid for by the mosque committee and well-wishers.
