14/06/2026

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ON YOUTUBE

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday JUNE 14, 2026

Malaysian Paper

/theSunMedia /

Mosque creates unique football, faith experience

Traditional games steal the show KOTA KINABALU: Rainy weather did not deter visitors from various communities from turning up in large numbers for the National Unity Week 2026 celebration at the Likas Sports Complex on Friday. A Bernama survey found that traditional sports and games such as gasing (top spinning), terompah gergasi (giant wooden clogs), coconut bowling, coconut shell clogs and tin can throw were among the main attractions. Apart from enlivening the event, the activities provided an opportunity for younger visitors to learn about Malaysia’s traditional games and sporting heritage, while allowing older participants to revisit childhood memories. Hotel employee Zulkifli Mohamad, 37, said playing gasing again after two decades brought back fond memories. “I have not played gasing for 20 years, since Year Six. It brings back memories. My children also had the chance to watch and play with the tops, giving them exposure to a game they have never seen before.” Zulkifli said such activities should be continued to introduce younger generations to traditional games and sports. “Today’s generation is different from previous generations. We did not have gadgets, and these games were part of our daily activities. Reviving them can help cultivate interest among young people,“ he added. Another visitor, Norhayati Mohd Yusof, 37, said traditional games not only provided entertainment but also promoted teamwork and unity. Using terompah gergasi as an example, she said success in the game depended on every participant moving in unison. “It teaches us to work together. That is the spirit of unity being instilled through this activity,“ she said. Meanwhile, Sabah National Unity and Integration Department director Rina Ab Harun said the inclusion of traditional sports and games gave the public an opportunity to reconnect with activities that remain close to the hearts of many Malaysians. She said games such as blowpipe shooting, sepak manggis, gasing, congkak, batu seremban, hopscotch and draughts also allowed young generations to experience aspects of the country’s cultural heritage first-hand. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Masjid Al Falah in USJ 9, Subang Jaya, is bringing the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026 into its premises through a unique programme called Jom Qiam & Layan Bola. Combining football with spiritual activities, the programme, organised by the mosque’s youth bureau under the Al-Falah Youth brand, offers participants an alternative way to enjoy screenings of the tournament. Apart from watching matches together, participants take part in qiamullail (night prayers), religious talks, solat sunat and congregational worship, turning football nights into an opportunity for spiritual enrichment. Masjid Al Falah nazir (overseer) Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the idea stemmed from observing the culture of football fans gathering in large groups to watch matches. A football enthusiast himself, he saw the popularity of the sport among young people as an opportunity to draw them closer to the mosque. “Rather than allowing young people to spend their nights elsewhere watching football, we decided to provide a space within the mosque where they can enjoy the matches while also engaging in acts of worship. “Football is not the main focus. Instead, it serves as a gateway to bring them closer to the mosque,” he said. To ensure the viewing sessions do not disturb worshippers in the main prayer hall, matches are screened in the mosque’s dining hall, which has been Initiative combines World Cup screenings with worship and community engagement

Syed Zainal Abidin said to ensure the viewing sessions do not disturb worshippers in the main prayer hall, matches are screened in the mosque’s dining hall. – BERNAMAPIC

The former executive director of Perodua Auto Corporation Sdn Bhd and former group managing director of Proton Holdings Bhd said the strong response to the initiative demonstrated the potential of sports-based programmes to connect young people with mosques while strengthening community ties. He expressed hope that more mosques would explore creative approaches that meet the needs of today’s communities without compromising their primary role as centres of worship and Muslim development. “Mosques must remain relevant and serve as spaces that bring together people from all walks of life, including families and non-Muslims who wish to better understand the mosque’s role as an active and inclusive community hub.”

transformed into a “World Cup corner”, Bernama reported. Free food and drinks are provided, while quizzes offer prizes that include football jerseys and balls. Syed Zainal Abidin said the programme was intentionally designed to be simple and accessible, particularly for young people who may be less familiar with the mosque environment. The programme begins about 30 minutes before kick-off with a brief religious talk and prayers. This is followed by the match screening, which continues into the early hours of the morning before participants gather again for dawn prayers. Half-time breaks are used for spiritual activities, including solat sunat and interactive sessions among participants.

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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