Access and Faith

This study explores the critical importance of inclusivity and accessibility within Malaysian mosques for individuals with disabilities, emphasising the need to integrate the voices and experiences of disabled community members within Malaysia’s unique socio-religious context. Despite Malaysia’s advancements in disability rights legislation, many religious spaces, including mosques, remain inaccessible, thus marginalising a vital segment of the Malaysian Muslim community. Through in-depth interviews with disabled individuals, mosque leaders, and community members across Malaysia, this research identifies the specific needs of Malaysian Muslims with disabilities and offers contextually appropriate recommendations for creating inclusive mosques within Malaysia’s legal and cultural framework. Key findings highlight physical accessibility barriers, communication challenges, and social stigma particular to the Malaysian context as primary obstacles faced by disabled participants. The study proposes a Malaysian-centred approach to inclusivity, combining national legal reforms with practical measures such as physical modifications, sensory and communication aids, active community engagement, and policy development specifically tailored to Malaysian mosque administration structures. Empowering disabled Malaysian Muslims through active participation in mosque activities not only enriches their spiritual experience but also fosters a more compassionate, inclusive and cohesive Malaysian Muslim community aligned with both constitutional principles and Islamic values.