Financing Mosque Maintenance in Muslim-Minority Communities

Abstract

Building maintenance extends the functional life of a building. While maintenance funds are usually deducted from the rental income in the case of income-generating buildings, this is not the case for non-income buildings such as mosques. Thus, mosque maintenance mostly relies on funds sourced through donations or grants, to ensure continued functionality and aesthetics. Since such donations are neither statutory, regular nor mandatory, the maintenance of mosques can only be as effective as the level of donation received. Consequently, this paper conducts a review of different financing approaches and practices that could ensure the sustainable maintenance of Mosques, especially in Muslim-minority communities where there is little or no government funding. Using the Islamic Cultural Centre Ireland (ICCI) model, the study recommends that mosques in Muslim-minority areas could be maintained through income generated from the development of nearby spaces around the mosques to render halal services such as book fairs and bookshops, multi-purpose halls and seminar rooms, shops, restaurant, and translation services. The study also indicates that more funds could be generated for mosque maintenance services through administrative processes such as the integration of online payment systems, budgeting, proper accounting and record-kee**, regular audit and internal controls, as well as improved communication with the volunteers and donors.