Amidst the decline in youth activities at mosques in several areas in Indonesia, mosque managers are deemed necessary to provide social, educational, and economic programs to meet the people’s needs.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Mosques should now transform to be places that are close to the younger generation and centers for community empowerment, an Indonesian official has said.

Fuad Nassar, Director of Halal Product Assurance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, said at a national seminar titled ‘Mosque Harmony: Religious Diplomacy and Global Peace,’ as part of the ‘Bridging to the International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026’ in Indonesia’s Surabaya City, East Java Province, on Sunday (Aug. 2).

Amid the decline in youth activity at mosques in several Indonesian areas, mosque managers are deemed necessary to provide social, educational, and economic programs to meet the people’s needs, he said.

Fuad highlighted the current phenomenon of declining youth participation in mosques. According to him, these challenges have to be addressed with a modern approach that is relevant to the interests and talents of the younger generation.

"We are facing a phenomenon in several regions of declining youth mosque activities. This needs to be balanced with activities that align with the passions of the younger generation. Mosques need to be positioned as meeting points for young people, Gen Z, and children, according to their interests," Fuad said.

He emphasized that the hereditary for mosque prosperity, passed down since the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is to position the mosque as a base for civilization, community welfare, and da'wah (preaching).

To realize this in the modern era, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs is encouraging the implementation of a trilogy of mosque management: physical maintenance, administrative management, and activity development.

Beyond being mere gathering places, mosques are also expected to address the real needs of the people through educational programs and practical trainings.

"Mosques need to be encouraged to hold trainings in financial management, parenting, and marriage guidance. There are many issues and needs of the people that can be addressed through mosques," he noted.

Currently, the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also launched various inclusive programs, including mosque economic programs, mosques friendly to children, the disabled, the elderly and people who return to their hometowns during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

In this regard, mosque imams play a central role in orchestrating all these functions.

Don't distance children from mosques

Sharing the same opinion with Fuad Nassar, Abdul Azis, Rector of State Islam University Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, emphasized the importance of a sympathetic approach in attracting young people and children to places of worship.

He reminded mosque managers and the community not to take actions that would discourage young people from attending mosques.

"How do we take a positive approach? We must not alienate our children from mosques and musholas (prayer rooms)," Abdul Azis emphasized.

The seminar, held at the Al-Akbar Mosque in Surabaya, was part of the Bridging to International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026 series.

The forum served as a platform for consolidating ideas leading up to the international conference of mosque imams scheduled for September 2026.

The discussion featured speakers from the National Counterterrorism Agency, the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Rectors of State Islamic Universities, and the Central Executive Board of the Mosque Imams Brotherhood Association.

Reporting by Indonesia Window