Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya has recently unveiled an exciting new facility: a mini soccer field, a key addition to the Al Akbar Sport Center (ASC). Located on the east side of the mosque, this new feature was inaugurated by East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in celebration of the Islamic New Year 1447 H.
H. Helmy M Noor, the spokesperson for Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya, shared that the introduction of the mini soccer field underscores the evolving role of the mosque as not merely a place for religious outreach, but also as a center for education, sports, economics, and social-cultural engagement in the community.
“The Al Akbar Sport Center will be multifunctional,” Helmy explained. “It’s not limited to sports; we have five key functions that encompass education, outreach, social engagement, economic endeavors, and promoting Qur’anic values.”
In terms of education, ASC will serve as an extracurricular resource for the MAS Educational Institution, catering to students from various levels including TK, MI, MTs, and STAI, based on a set schedule. The outreach aspect aims to blend contemporary methods with the message of faith, featuring activities like soccer that incorporate spiritual teachings.
Furthermore, ASC is committed to fostering community involvement by providing sports programs for orphans, mosque caretakers, and students from local Islamic schools, with prior registration required. In its role as a mosque-owned enterprise (BUMM), ASC will also offer a venue for sports activities open to the general public, marking a step toward making the mosque self-sustainable.
“We’re also preparing special schedules for business communities to engage in sports and supportive activities,” Helmy noted. Lastly, the Qur’anic aspect includes plans for a Tahfidz Academy and a football program aimed at nurturing a healthy, spiritually grounded, and professional generation.
In addition to the mini soccer field, Masjid Al Akbar Surabaya is home to a variety of public facilities designed for the benefit of both congregants and the wider community. These include the 99-meter Minaret, Fountain, Asmaul Husna Park, Civilization Park, Urban Farming initiatives, Edupark Garden, Green House, GenZI Park, Al-Akbar Tourism Center (ATC), and the popular Pigeon Park adjacent to the Green House, which is a favorite among families.
