Challenges in Implementing the Green Building Concept in Mosques: Insights from Perak, Malaysia
Abstract
The increasing global emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility has led to the exploration of green building concepts across various sectors, including religious institutions. However, the participation from mosques is still very low in Perak and actionable guidance for overcoming the challenges in implementing green practices in mosques is needed. This research aims to identify and analyze the challenges in implementing the green building concept in mosques in Perak, Malaysia, to provide actionable insights for future adoption. A quantitative approach is employed by distributing questionnaires to mosque management teams, in-house and outsourced maintenance staff, and mosque congregation of Masjid Bandar Universiti, Seri Iskandar; Masjid As-Siddiq, Seri Iskandar; and Masjid Muhammadiah Taman Tasek Jaya, Ipoh. The selection of three case studies that have implemented the green building concept was made to allow for an in-depth analysis of the challenges within a manageable scope, ensuring that the research could focus on detailed, context-specific insights. A total of thirty (30) completed and usable questionnaires were collected and analysed based on mean scores and ranking method. The three most significant challenges are the higher initial cost required, existing building design and physical setting, and the maintenance cost implications. By shedding light on the current state and future possibilities of green building initiatives in mosques, this research provides practical recommendations to overcome implementation challenges and maximize the environmental and social benefits of sustainable building practices in religious and community contexts.
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