Building communal values for quality sustainable living in traditional madrassa—the case of Madrassa Quran Kubang Bujuk, Trengganu

Abstract

Madrassa is deemed referred as a religious education center for the Muslim community. Due to its well acceptance and establishment in the Muslim society, madrassa not only acts as scholarly center but also as a place that promotes goodwill and unity. However, many scholars are of opinion that traditional madrassa is considerably significant as it has an important role in reshaping Islamic education towards the development of communal values. This paper aims to identify and elucidate the importance of the traditional design of madrassa towards the development of communal values. Madrassa Quran Kubang Bujuk in Trengganu was analyzed as case study due to its significant establishment and dominant role in reshaping the local Muslim society. In addition, the architectural madrassa design is distinctive, and its multifunctional purpose considers the well-being of occupants towards the development of communal values. Semiotic as research method is used to reveal the communal values that are embedded in the architectural design of a madrassa. The findings will benefits future designers and scholars on the importance of communal values and the propagation of Islamic teaching through the representation of madrassa as built form.