Supporting Malaysia’s PwD-Friendly Mosques Guidelines 2026: Practical Access Audits for Inclusive Worship Spaces

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The Malaysian Government continues to demonstrate strong leadership in promoting inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (OKU/PwD) in religious and community spaces. On February 7, 2026, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan announced that national guidelines are being drafted to implement disability-friendly facilities in all mosques and surau nationwide.

These guidelines are being developed under the Action Plan of Religious Agencies for Muslim PwDs, following constructive stakeholder discussions. While some mosques have introduced basic accessibility features, the initiative aims to ensure consistent, meaningful access for all worshippers, aligning with Malaysia’s broader commitment to universal design and inclusion (Bernama, February 7, 2026; The Sun Malaysia, February 8–11 coverage).

This positive step supports the upcoming Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 amendments and Malaysia’s obligations under the CRPD (ratified 2010). It helps create welcoming environments for worshippers with mobility, visual, or hearing needs, as well as elderly members, families, and visitors during Ramadan, Hari Raya, and other occasions.

Why Inclusive Religious Spaces Matter

Mosques and surau are vital centres for prayer, education, and community connection. Practical accessibility features such as:

• Ramps (1:12 gradient) and wider doorways (900mm+ clear)
• Adapted ablution areas with grab bars and lowered taps
• Tactile paving, braille signage, and accessible toilets (per MS 1183)
• Designated wheelchair-friendly prayer zones

enable full participation while preserving architectural, cultural, and heritage values. These enhancements benefit the entire congregation, promoting independence, safety, and shared community harmony.

Practical Support: Real-World Access Audits in Leading Mosques

Professional access audits provide a respectful, effective pathway to implementation. The AccessConsultants.asia team has delivered tangible results in this area.

Ahmad Syafiq bin Mohd Unzir (Graduate Architect, LAM AG/A 846, PAM G5078; Certificate IV in Access Consulting equivalency) has been a full-time team member since April 2019. He conducted an access audit at Masjid Jamek (Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad) in Kuala Lumpur, supported by the Persatuan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Social and Corporate Responsibility (SCR) Committee. Syafiq visited the mosque, met with the mosque’s AJK (Ahli Jawatankuasa or committee members) to discuss accessibility opportunities, and continued the conversation at a café with Dr Norwina to explore practical solutions. These collaborative efforts have contributed to significant accessibility improvements at this historic and widely visited site – a clear example of how audits can align with national goals while honouring heritage.

Daniel Wong (Principal Architect & Qualified Access Consultant; Diploma in Access Consulting 2017) brings 25+ years of architectural experience and 6+ years specialising in access consultancy. Daniel has conducted mosque audits in Malaysia and contributed to temple accessibility projects, including improvements at Tze Yup Temple in Glebe (Sydney’s historic Chinese temple) and design input for a proposed Cambodian temple in Western Sydney. His expertise in inclusive and equitable design, accessibility master planning, and on-site solutions adds exceptional value to multicultural and religious building projects.

The full team complements this work:

• Gary Finn (Principal Architect & Qualified Access Consultant, NSW #5774, ACAA #435) – 40+ years in inclusive design, heritage, and SDA projects.
• Chong Yee Jean (Project Architect, LAM Part I) – BIM expert (Archicad), cross-border compliance since 2019.
• Nur Syuhada Binti Che Rahimi (Architectural Executive, LAM & RIBA Part II) – SDA specialist, Archicad proficient since 2019.

These images illustrate inclusive public spaces in action – smooth pathways, barrier-free routes, and accessible features that benefit wheelchair users, families, elderly worshippers, and the wider community. The same universal design principles apply directly to mosques, surau, and community buildings.

How Mosque Committees, Architects & Owners Can Contribute

1. Conduct Professional Access Audits: Baseline facilities against MS 1183/MS 1184 and anticipated guidelines – identify opportunities in entrances, ablution areas, prayer halls, and pathways.
2. Implement Universal Design: Prioritise ramps, grab bars, tactile guidance, braille signage, and accessible toilets – cost-effective features that enhance usability for all.
3. Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with committees, experts, and worshippers for respectful, practical solutions.
4. Partner with Accredited Consultants: Obtain reports and recommendations to support guideline rollout.

AccessConsultants.asia: Proud to Support Malaysia’s Inclusion Journey

We deliver practical, culturally sensitive accessibility consulting – tailored to Malaysian values, heritage, and multicultural communities. With the team’s combined expertise, we provide cost-effective barrier-free infrastructure solutions that align with national priorities.

The Government’s PwD-friendly mosques guidelines are a positive, forward-thinking initiative. Practical audits – as demonstrated at Masjid Jamek and beyond – help realise inclusive worship spaces for all Malaysians.

Call to Action: Ready to support national inclusion goals with an access audit for your mosque, surau, temple, or community building? Book a free wheelchair access audit consultation at AccessConsultants.asia today. Professional services available in Malaysia, Sydney, and Perth – together we build welcoming spaces.

Sources: Bernama (Feb 7, 2026), The Sun Malaysia (Feb 8–11, 2026), team CVs and professional experience. SEO optimised for PwD-friendly mosques Malaysia, OKU-friendly surau guidelines 2026, universal design mosques Malaysia, Masjid Jamek accessibility audit, barrier-free religious buildings 2026.