BALIKPAPAN — Masjid Assalam visited Masjid Ahmad Dahlan WIKA on Sunday, 11 October 2026, through SMART (Sambang Masjid Assalam Rajut Talisilaturrahmi). Held after the dawn prayer, the visit strengthened fellowship and provided an opportunity to share experience in managing and developing a thriving mosque.
The Masjid Assalam delegation was welcomed by the organizers and congregation of Masjid Ahmad Dahlan WIKA, located in the WIKA area of Gunung Samarinda, North Balikpapan.
The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Organizers from both mosques sat together to get to know one another, exchange experiences, and discuss opportunities for cooperation that could benefit worshippers and the wider community.
Sharing Mosque Management Experience
The main session featured presentations by H. Muhammad Dheny M. J. and H. Rachman Tanjung of Masjid Assalam. H. Yasir, the Foundation Chairman, also shared his views and experience in mosque development.
The presentations emphasized that a mosque’s role extends beyond providing a place of worship. A mosque should also serve as a centre for congregational development, Islamic outreach, education, social services, and community economic empowerment.
The organizers were invited to consider the importance of orderly and sustainable mosque governance. Mosque management requires a clear vision, defined responsibilities, communication among organizers, program planning, and regular evaluation.
Organizers also need to understand the needs of worshippers and the surrounding community. Programs should respond to genuine community needs and deliver tangible benefits, rather than simply follow established routines.
Developing a Thriving Mosque through Useful Programs
Masjid Assalam’s presentations also highlighted the importance of activities that strengthen the congregation’s relationship with the mosque. Islamic outreach, education, social services, and empowerment activities can encourage greater participation.
A program’s success is measured by more than the scale of its activities. Consistency, congregational involvement, transparent management, and lasting benefits are also essential to a thriving mosque.
Masjid Assalam shared its experience of how cooperation can extend a program’s benefits. Mosques do not have to organize every activity alone; they can collaborate with other mosques, social institutions, businesses, and different parts of the community.
Discussion and Exploratory Collaboration
The presentations were followed by a discussion. Organizers from Masjid Assalam and Masjid Ahmad Dahlan WIKA exchanged ideas on programs they could develop together.
One topic was the possibility of collaborating on a qurbani program. These discussions remained at an early exploratory stage and would require further communication and planning.
The proposed cooperation is expected to support more focused programs, extend their benefits to the community, and strengthen relations between the two mosques.
Strengthening Ties to Enliven Mosques
This visit was more than a meeting between mosque management teams. It created space for mutual learning and for building a network of beneficial cooperation.
Through SMART, Masjid Assalam seeks to maintain ties with mosques and prayer rooms, share management experience, and encourage partnerships that benefit the community.
This spirit is reflected in SMART’s slogan:
“Together with the community, enlivening mosques and prayer rooms.”
The event concluded with a group photograph of the organizers from Masjid Assalam and Masjid Ahmad Dahlan WIKA. It is hoped that the meeting will become a starting point for continuing communication and collaboration.
