'Isolated incidents only’: At-Taqwa TTDI Mosque says committee not involved in alleged mistreatment
The mosque’s chief imam said the social media account owner might have intended to promote the mosque and encourage more people to join for iftar.
KUALA LUMPUR - At-Taqwa Mosque Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) has addressed recent claims circulating on social media regarding a boycott and alleged mistreatment, clarifying that early findings point to isolated incidents involving a small number of individuals who are not part of the mosque’s committee.
The allegations surfaced after a Feb 22 post on Threads went viral, showing the mosque appearing empty at about 6.30pm, a time when attendance was usually low, as congregants typically begin arriving closer to 7.15pm for iftar.
The mosque’s chief imam Ahmad Fakhruddin Mohd Tahir said it was possible that the social media account owner had intended to promote the mosque and encourage more people to join for iftar.
However, subsequent comments from netizens sharing negative experiences at the mosque led to the post gaining wider attention.
While there were positive remarks, Fakhruddin said most discussions centred on claims of poor treatment towards congregants and visitors.
He said the mosque management took the matter seriously, viewing the public feedback as an opportunity to enhance internal processes.
"Preliminary findings indicate that instances of poor treatment did occur, though they were limited in number and involved only a small group of individuals. Those identified are not members of the mosque committee but include certain volunteers and a few female congregants.
"The matter remains under review, with further assessments underway to determine appropriate measures. The objective is to address the concerns raised and ensure better management so similar situations do not arise again in the future," he told Sinar Daily when met at the mosque, yesterday.
Despite the claims, the mosque continues to welcome its regular congregants from the surrounding community.
A visit by Sinar Daily yesterday found that the grounds began filling up from around 7pm, with families arriving to perform their religious obligations and break their fast together.
Retired teacher Md Rosley Arifin, 80, who has been performing his prayers at the mosque for more than 30 years, described the claims of a boycott as unfounded.
"I lived here for 30 years, since the mosque first opened. Every night the mosque is always full. There is no boycott, those claims are false and nonsense," he said.
Sports coach Irwan Zahir Zubier, 52, said the boycott claims likely stemmed from those unfamiliar with the mosque’s regular operations.
"Claims that the mosque is being boycotted or that its management has issues come from people who are not permanent residents of this area and rarely set foot in the mosque.
"If someone rarely attends but expects special treatment from the mosque, that is not appropriate," he said.
Private sector employee Muhammad Adib Adnan, 26, who attended iftar at the mosque shared a similar sentiment.
He said so far, he has not experienced any bad treatment.
"The management is also good. I see that most of the complaints about poor treatment come from the female congregants. There are no issues on the male side," he said.
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