The Role of Mosques as Centers of Social Innovation in the Development of Urban Islamic Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/cwbfwx02Keywords:
Mosque, Social Innovation, Urban Islamic Communities, Community Development, Islamic Social EthicsAbstract
This research explores the evolving role of mosques as centers of social innovation in the development of urban Islamic communities. Traditionally, mosques have served not only as places of worship but also as hubs for education, welfare, and community leadership. However, with the rapid pace of urbanization and modernization, Muslim communities now face new socio-economic challenges, including social fragmentation, inequality, and the weakening of communal ties. This study investigates how mosques respond to these challenges through innovative, community-based initiatives that address spiritual, social, and developmental needs. Using a qualitative research design with case studies of selected urban mosques, data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that many urban mosques have successfully transformed into multifunctional institutions that integrate social, educational, and environmental programs. These include digital literacy training, entrepreneurship development, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability projects. Guided by Social Innovation Theory, Community Development Theory, Islamic Social Ethics, and Urban Sociology, the study shows that the success of mosque-based innovation depends on visionary leadership, active community participation, and collaboration with governmental and non-governmental actors. The research concludes that mosques hold significant potential to become strategic partners in urban development planning. By combining Islamic ethical principles with modern approaches to social problem-solving, mosques can act as catalysts for empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The study recommends that policymakers integrate mosque-based initiatives into urban planning frameworks and support their institutional capacity through training, partnerships, and inclusive governance. Ultimately, this research affirms that mosques are not only spiritual sanctuaries but also vital agents of social innovation in contemporary urban life.
References
Abbas, A. K. I. (2019). The Role of the Mosque as Community Center: A Social Sustainable Approach. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar).
Alwani, Z. (2007). The Qur’anic model for harmony in family relations. Change from within: Diverse Perspectives on Domestic Violence in Muslim Communities, 40–41.
Aristide, C., Mwakisole, A., Mwakisole, N., Emmanuel, M., Laizer, E., Kihunrwa, A., Downs, D., Wamoyi, J., & Downs, J. (2020). Design and pilot testing of a church-based intervention to address interpersonal and intrapersonal barriers to uptake of family planning in rural Tanzania: a qualitative implementation study. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 46(3), 226–233.
Berndtsson, J. (2017). Combining semi-structured interviews and document analysis in a study of private security expertise. In Researching non-state actors in international security (pp. 81–95). Routledge.
Barbopoulos, A., & Clark, J. M. (2003). Practising Psychology in Rural Settings: Issues and Guidelines. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 44(4), 410.
Blank, E. A. (2020). Communication in Marriage Workbook: Exercises to Resolve Conflict and Improve Your Relationship. Sourcebooks, Inc.
Cheong, P. H., Huang, S., & Poon, J. P. H. (2011). Religious communication and epistemic authority of leaders in wired faith organizations. Journal of Communication, 61(5), 938–958.
Chodak, J. (2001). Symbols, slogans and taste in tactics: Creation of collective identity in social movements. Political Science, 4(1), 139–187.
Clarke, A. N. (2020). Social media: a new religion?
D’Angelo, P. (2017). Framing: media frames. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects, 2, 634–644.
Firdian, F., Anam, H. F., & Baroroh, H. E. (2011). Digital Narratives of Religious Contestation: Social Media Responses to Buddhist Monks’ Prayer in a Mosque. ESENSIA: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin, 26(1), 1–11.
García-Schmidt, N. R. (2011). What Challenges do Latin Mission Leaders Face When Raising Funds Locally and What is the Best Way to Develop Resource mobilization Capacity. Crown College, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.
Godinić, D., & Obrenovic, B. (2020). Effects of economic uncertainty on mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic context: social identity disturbance, job uncertainty and psychological well-being model.
Haas, J. G. (2021). COVID-19 and psychology: People and society in times of pandemic. Springer Nature.
Harrell, M., Selvaraj, S. A., & Edgar, M. (2020). Danger! Crisis health workers at risk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5270.
Hassan, M. K. (2021). Contemporary psychological disorders and the spiritual therapy from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Revelation and Science, 11(1).
Kirowati, D., & Amir, V. (2019). Analysis of mosque financial management to optimization the role of mosque in advancing communities using critical ethnomethodology studies. Jurnal AKSI (Akuntansi Dan Sistem Informasi), 4(2).
Khalid, M. Z., & Ahmed, A. (2014). Entertainment-education media strategies for social change: Opportunities and emerging trends. Review of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2(1), 69–89.
Langfeldt, L. (2004). Expert panels evaluating research: decision-making and sources of bias. Research Evaluation, 13(1), 51–62.
Li, Y., Guan, M., Hammond, P., & Berrey, L. E. (2021). Communicating COVID-19 information on TikTok: a content analysis of TikTok videos from official accounts featured in the COVID-19 information hub. Health Education Research, 36(3), 261–271.
Mawani, R. (2019). Beyond the Mosque.
Mayoh, J., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2015). Toward a conceptualization of mixed methods phenomenological research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 9(1), 91–107.
Meaklim, H., Junge, M. F., Varma, P., Finck, W. A., & Jackson, M. L. (2021). Pre-existing and post-pandemic insomnia symptoms are associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 17(10), 2085–2097.
Munsoor, M. S. (2021). Spiritual leadership and self-development model. In Wellbeing and the Worshipper: Insights Into an Islamic Spiritual Order (pp. 241–321). Springer. Nash, O. (2001). Emotional intelligence and intimate relationships. Emotional Intelligence in Everyday Life: A Scientific Inquiry, 98.
Rehman, T. (2020). Islamic Feminism: The Challenges and Choices of Reinterpreting Sexual Ethics in Islamic Tradition. Society and Culture in South Asia, 6(2), 214–237.
Smith, C., & Snell, P. (2009). Souls in transition: The religious and spiritual lives of emerging adults. Oxford University Press.
Sokol, J. T. (2009). Identity development throughout the lifetime: An examination of Eriksonian theory. Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1(2), 14.
Ziegler, R. (2017). Social innovation as a collaborative concept. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 30(4), 388–405.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Bakhtiar Hadi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
