Mosque Leadership Is Not Just for Asatizah: Professionals Have a Role Too

For Amirah and Izzairin, serving on a Mosque Management Board (MMB) challenges a common perception, that mosque leadership is mainly for asatizah or those with a religious background.

Amirah, 30, works in accounts in the maritime industry and serves on the Assyakirin Mosque Management Board, while Izzairin, 37, brings 14 years of communications experience across the public and private sectors to his role as Assistant Treasurer at Pusara Aman Mosque.

Their day jobs may seem far removed from mosque work, but both believe those skills are exactly what MMBs need.

Running a mosque goes beyond religious programming, with finance, human resources, communications, governance and other operational needs requiring people with different professional expertise.

"You don't have to be an ustaz or ustazah," Amirah said of one misconception surrounding MMB service.

His own appointment reflects that. Despite being a communications professional, Izzairin serves as Assistant Treasurer, taking on responsibilities including audits and accountability for spending.

For him, professionals from different fields can bring critical thinking and strategic perspectives that help strengthen how mosques are managed.

The role, however, is not a light commitment. Izzairin described it as almost a "second job", requiring members to juggle their careers, families and the amanah of serving the community.

"You don't serve for fame," he said, adding that the experience has taught him to "stay humble" and "serve with humility"

Both also see the need to bring a new generation into mosque leadership.

Amirah hopes to encourage greater youth involvement, while Izzairin sees succession planning as crucial to ensuring future mosque leaders understand and can respond to the changing needs of the community.

The West District Board Appointment Exercise is taking place from 10 to 30 September and they hope more people will consider stepping forward.

This includes those who may never have thought their profession or background had a place in mosque leadership.