SIBU: Dewan Bahasa Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak in collaboration with the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and the Sibu Muslim community launched a book entitled ‘Masjid Al-Qadim Nadi Masyarakat Islam Sibu’ here today.
The launching ceremony of the book which documents more than a decade of Masjid Al-Qadim history and architecture was declared open by Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“The state government has requested for DBP to document the history of mosques in Sarawak. We are delighted that DBP chooses Masjid Al-Qadim as its first project,” said Annuar when met by reporters after the launching ceremony of the book at Masjid Al-Qadim on Thursday night.
The Nangka assemblyman noted that so far 200 copies of the book have been printed and he will donate a total of 100 copies to the school library and suraus as well as mosques around Sibu.
“We will discuss whether this will be used as a waqf or sold to visitors at this mosque. I think if it is sold to visitors, many will want to buy the book,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Annuar in his speech said the mosque has been visited by a lot of tourists from other countries since its upgrading work was completed last year.
“As a citizen of Sibu, I am proud of this mosque and I urge that we take care of this mosque together. This mosque has been gazetted as a historic building and cannot be demolished or changed hands.
“While during the last Cabinet meeting, it was agreed that we will establish the Al-Qadim Mosque Board which will take care of the welfare of the people and the maintenance of this mosque,” he said.
He hopes that everyone will contribute well in terms of energy and ideas so that this mosque remains and is seen as a symbol of pride for the Muslim community in Sibu.
Also present was the vice chancellor of UTS Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid.
