Why must new mosques include facilities for PWDs and seniors?

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New mosques and surau must include facilities for PWDs and seniors to make worship more inclusive and accessible

The Dewan Rakyat was told that all new mosque and surau developments in Malaysia must incorporate facilities and infrastructure for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens to ensure places of worship are more inclusive and accessible. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said the requirement follows existing legal frameworks and universal design guidelines, including the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, and the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984.
The requirement is tied to existing law and universal design
Marhamah Rosli stated that the facility requirement aligns with Malaysia’s existing legal framework covering PWDs and building requirements. She also pointed to universal design guidelines, which generally focus on making built environments usable by people with different needs, including senior citizens and PWDs.
It is meant to improve inclusion and accessibility for congregants
The purpose described in the Dewan Rakyat response was to make worship spaces easier to access and more inclusive for PWDs and senior citizens. She noted that many mosques and surau registered under JAWI have already provided basic facilities, showing that accessibility features are part of current practice in many places of worship.
Government upgrades are being prioritised through existing funding
Marhamah Rosli said the government is prioritising upgrades to these facilities through existing funding mechanisms. She listed maintenance allocations, mosque funds, community contributions, and financial assistance coordinated by the respective state religious authorities within their jurisdictions.
The plan is reinforced by standards and an action plan for Muslim PWDs
The government introduced the Malaysian Mosque Rating Standard (SPMM) to encourage mosque management committees to improve inclusive infrastructure periodically. The SPMM assesses components such as infrastructure friendly to senior citizens and PWDs, and the initiative is further strengthened by the Muslim PWD Religious Agencies Action Plan 2024-2028, which emphasises capacity building and involving the PWD community as strategic partners.

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Why must new mosques include facilities for PWDs and seniors?

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