INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA — Al-Anwar Incheon Mosque presents a cultural da’wah concept by providing various facilities to strengthen Islamic brotherhood and enliven the mosque. These facilities include a coffee shop, a cooperative, free WiFi access, various games, and a shared kitchen. The mosque caretaker initiated all of this so that the congregation would feel more comfortable and at home in the mosque.
Ustaz Hanafi Rahman, President of the Indonesian Muslim Community in South Korea, explained that this initiative aims to make Masjid Al-Anwar a center for the Muslim community in Incheon. Not only as a place of worship, but also a space for interaction and economic development of the community.
“We want the mosque to be a lively place, where Muslims from various backgrounds can gather, discuss, and support each other. With the presence of coffee shops, cooperatives, and other facilities, it is hoped that the mosque will be more crowded and useful,” he said.
For Ustaz Minanur Rohman, Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa 2025 South Korea assignment, the most interesting of these various facilities is the presence of a mosque cooperative. This is because the income from the cooperative will be used for the mosque’s operations. So, congregants can contribute to the construction of the mosque in a simple way, namely by buying daily necessities at the mosque cooperative.
In addition, the mosque also provides a shared kitchen that allows congregants to cook and share food. This is very helpful for Muslims who live alone or far from family.
Even though it has various activities and facilities, Al-Anwar Mosque still prioritizes worship and da’wah. Apart from providing a comfortable gathering place, the mosque is also active in various religious activities. Apart from congregational prayer five times a day, every time after Tarawih in the month of Ramadan, congregations can participate in sermons and reciting the Quran together.
Not only that, especially on holidays (Sundays), this mosque routinely holds Sunday Night Study and Sunday Morning Study, which are learning forums for the Muslim community in Incheon.
Dikri Nur Diansah, an Indonesian Migrant Worker who often comes to this mosque, also expressed his gratitude for this initiative.
“As an expatriate, I feel very helped. The mosque is not only a place of worship, but also a place for us to socialize, discuss, and even enjoy coffee while learning about Islam,” he said.
With this approach, Al-Anwar Incheon Mosque proves that da’wah (preaching) can be done in a creative way and relevant to the needs of the people, especially for Muslims living in minority countries. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dai Ambassador for South Korea, Ustaz Minanur Rohman
Editor: Ronna