Using Football To Bring Young People Closer To The Mosque

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

PETALING JAYA, June 13 (Bernama) -- Masjid Al Falah in USJ 9, Subang Jaya, is bringing the excitement of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 into its premises through a unique programme called ‘Jom Qiam & Layan Bola’. 

Combining a passion for football with spiritual enrichment, the programme, organised by the mosque's youth bureau under the Al-Falah Youth brand, offers an experience rarely found elsewhere.

Besides watching matches together, participants also take part in qiamullail (nighttime prayers), religious talks, solat sunat and congregational worship, making football nights more meaningful and rewarding.

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According to Masjid Al Falah nazir (overseer) Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, the idea was inspired by his observations of football fans' culture of gathering in large groups to watch matches.

As a football enthusiast himself, he saw the sport's popularity 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.

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"Football is not the main focus. Instead, it serves as a gateway to bring them closer to the mosque," he said when met at the mosque recently.

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 transformed into a 'World Cup Corner'. Free food and drinks are provided, along with quizzes offering prizes such as football jerseys and balls.

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Syed Zainal Abidin, who is also chairman of Perbadanan Wakaf Selangor, said the programme was intentionally designed to be light and accessible, particularly to help young people become more familiar with the mosque environment.

The programme begins about 30 minutes before kick-off with a short religious talk and prayers. This is followed by the match screening, which continues until the early hours of the morning before participants gather again for dawn prayers.

The breaktimes during matches are used for spiritual activities, including performing solat sunat and interactive sessions among participants before the match resumes.

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Syed Zainal Abidin, 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 demonstrates the potential of sports-based programmes as an effective way to connect young people with mosques while strengthening community bonds.

He also hoped that more mosques would explore creative approaches that meet current community needs without compromising their primary role as centres of worship and Muslim development.

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"Mosques must continue to 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," he said.

-- BERNAMA