Author : Md. Salleh Haji Hassan

Summary : This study attempted to find out how mosque officials and village residents perceived the following: (1) the role of the mosque in the community; (2) use of the Friday sermon as a medium for development communication; (3) use of the mosque by the extension agents and (4) use of the mosque for other communication activities. The study also determined the relationship between the respondents' perceptions and the sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, educational attainment), knowledge of the mosque and functions of its officials, length of service at the mosque, frequency of attendance at the mosque, and frequency of contacts with the extension agents. The respondents perceived the role of the mosque as not solely for religious but for community activities as well. They favored using the Friday sermon as a medium for development communication, and the use of the mosque by extension agents and for other communication activities. There was no significant relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of the mosque officials and their perceptions. For the village residents, age was significantly related with perception of using the mosque for other communication activities. Knowledge of the mosque and functions of its officials, frequency of attendance at the mosque, and frequency of contacts with the extension agents were significantly related with the perception using the Friday sermon as a medium for development communication. Frequency of contacts was also significantly related with the respondents' perception of the role of the mosque in the community and use of the mosque by extension agents.