POTENSI MASJID SEBAGAI PRODUK PELANCONGAN DI MALAYSIA

Abstract

The mosque is an Islamic Syiar that is visible, clear and easily recognizable. In the time of Rasullullah S.A.W and the time of the Khulafa', the mosque played a major role in religious activities, society, culture, politics, education, and even the spread of Islam. The role and function of the mosque is likened to the heart of the Muslim community. If the heart is no longer functioning, the body will surely die. Realizing the function and role of mosques that are important to the Muslim community, great mosques of the world are built in grand and beautiful fashion as a symbol of Islamic strength and civilization. Mosques are built at very strategic locations, especially in settlement areas or large cities of the world. Mosques that are built with great aesthetic and architectural value may create attention and attract not only Muslims, but also non-Muslims visitors. The beautiful architecture of mosque has become an attractive tourism product that may attracts local and foreign tourists which may improve a country’s economy.  This paper aims to measure and highlight the potential of mosques as one of the tourism products in Malaysia under the category of Islamic tourism. Data were obtained from previous studies that discuses on studies related to mosques as a tourism product in Malaysia. The results of the study revealed that mosques as part of a tourism products has the potential to contribute to the development of the tourism industry through homestay activities, pilgrimages and worship at mosques; and ‘Mosque Tourism’ program. This study is significant because Malaysia has become a global tourist destination that offers various categories of tourism products that caters to both local and foreign tourists. Rasullullah S.A.W dan zaman Khulafa’, institusi masjid memainkan peranan yang besar dalam aktiviti keagamaan, kemasyarakatan, kebudayaan, politik, pendidikan, dan juga penyebaran agama Islam. Peranan dan fungsi masjid diibaratkan sebagai jantung kepada masyarakat Islam. Jika jantung tidak lagi berfungsi, pastinya jasad akan mati. Melihat kepada fungsi dan peranan masjid yang begitu penting kepada masyarakat Muslim, maka masjid-masjid utama di dunia dibina dengan begitu hebat dan indah sebagai lambang kekuatan dan ketamadunan Islam. Masjid didirikan di lokasi yang sangat strategik khususnya di pusat penempatan atau kota-kota besar dunia. Binaan masjid yang mempunyai nilai estetika dan seni bina yang hebat boleh menarik perhatian dan kunjungan bukan sahaja umat Islam, bahkan kepada masyarakat bukan Islam. Keindahan seni bina masjid telah menjadi salah satu daya tarikan pelancong sekaligus menjadi produk pelancongan yang berpotensi dalam penjanaan ekonomi sesebuah negara. Kajian ini bertujuan mengukur potensi masjid untuk diketengahkan sebagai salah satu tarikan pelancongan di bawah kategori pelancongan Islamik.  Data-data diperoleh melalui kajian-kajian lepas yang menyentuh terhadap kajian yang berkaitan masjid dan pelancongan di Malaysia. Hasil kajian mendapati masjid mampu menyumbang kepada pembangunan industri pelancongan melalui kegiatan inap masjid, ziarah, dan ibadah di masjid; dan program ‘Mosque Tourism’. Kajian ini cukup signifikan kerana Malaysia merupakan destinasi pelancongan yang menawarkan pelbagai kategori produk pelancongan kepada pelancong sama ada tempatan atau antarabangsa.