A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Role of Masjid (Mosque) as an Important Development Hub

Authors

  • Siti Mazwin Kamaruddin Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Town and Regional Planning), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Salbiah Mokhtar Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Kamariah Abdullah Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Norainah Abdul Rahman Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Arina Rahmat Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Azila Ahmad Sarkawi Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.5858

Keywords:

Masjid, Masjid Role, Development Hubs, AI tool

Abstract

Masjids are important development hubs that support the social, economic, educational, and spiritual facets of the Islamic society. However, researchers indicate that whereas certain masjids are effectively performing these expansive functions, others encounter difficulties and are not completely achieving their potential as centres of development. Thus, the aim of this Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 50 articles is to provide a comprehensive examination of the best practices and limitations relevant to masjids carrying out their role as a development hub in towns. In order to conduct this SLR, the following procedures are recommended: determine the research question, choose which study categories to include, create a search to find those studies, and evaluate the studies' findings and relevance. Reviewing research published between 2014 and 2024 using five (5) reputable, open-access academic web databases—Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Emerald Insight, and Google Scholar—is the stated set of guidelines used in this SLR. Every database is an intellectual internet resource that is accessible through the university library for scholars. To examine the chosen literature efficiently and transparently, the researchers employ Google Notebook LM, an AI tool. Notwithstanding its primary purpose as a house of worship, the SLR's results show that masjid serves a variety of purposes for the community. Fulfilling its social, economic, and educational responsibilities without sacrificing its primary purpose is the masjid’s finest practice. The results of the literature gap are significant for future studies on the function of masjids as a hub for social, economic, educational, and spiritual development.

Author Biographies

  • Siti Mazwin Kamaruddin, Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Town and Regional Planning), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Siti Mazwin bt Kamaruddin ( PhD) is Associate Professor in the Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning Faculty of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor. Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and environmental management. She has published widely on these subjects in publications such as the Planning Malaysia Journal, Built Environment Journal, UPSI Geografi  and International  Journal of Social Science Research. She can be reached through her email at sitim065@uitm.edu.my or mazwintrp@gmail.com

  • Salbiah Mokhtar, Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

    Salbiah Mokhtar (PhD) is a senior lecturer in the Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning, Department of Built environment and Technology Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and land development. She has published widely on these subjects in publications such as the Planning Malaysia Journal,  International  Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Science. She can be reached through her email at salbi694@uitm.edu.my

  • Kamariah Abdullah, Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

    Kamariah Abdullah (PhD) is a senior lecturer in the Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning, Department of Built environment and Technology Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak.  Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and community based environmental management. She has published on these subjects in publications such as the Planning Malaysia Journal and Jurnal Arsitektur dan Perencanaan. She can be reached through her email at kamar136@uitm.edu.my

  • Norainah Abdul Rahman, Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

    Norainah Abdul Rahman (PhD) is a senior lecturer in the Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning, Department of Built environment and Technology Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak.  Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and built environment. She has published widely on these subjects in publications such as the Planning Malaysia Journal, International  Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Science. She can be reached through her email at norai760@uitm.edu.my

  • Arina Rahmat, Department of Built Environment and Technology, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

    Arina Rahmat (PhD) is a lecturer in the Centre of Studies for Town and Regional Planning, Department of Built environment and Technology Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak. Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and engineering technology She has published these subjects in publications such as the Planning Malaysia Journal,  International  Journal of Construction Management. She can be reached through her email at arinarahmat@uitm.edu.my

  • Azila Ahmad Sarkawi, Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Azila Ahmad Sarkawi (PhD) is Professorat the Kuliyah of Architecture and Environmental Design International Islamic University Malaysia. Her main research activity is in the area of urban planning and Islamic Built Environment. She has published widely on these subjects in publications such as the Journal or Islamic and Social Studies,Jurnal Manajemen Hutan Tropika.. She can be reached through her email at azila@iium.edu.my

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Published

03-07-2026

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Vol. 23 No. 2 (2026): Built Environment Journal

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Copyright (c) 2026 Siti Mazwin Kamaruddin, Salbiah Mokhtar, Kamariah Abdullah, Norainah Abdul Rahman, Arina Rahmat, Azila Ahmad Sarkawi

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How to Cite

A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Role of Masjid (Mosque) as an Important Development Hub. (2026). Built Environment Journal, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.5858

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