At-Thohir Culinary Arcade Provides Business Space for 35 MSMEs

DEPOK — Mosques are not only places of worship; they can also serve as centres for community economic empowerment. The Mochamad Thohir Foundation has put this idea into practice by launching the At-Thohir Culinary Arcade in the grounds of At-Thohir Mosque in Depok, West Java, on Saturday (10 October 2026).

Under the theme “Halal Flavours in the Light of Blessings”, the arcade has been developed as a business space for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while also providing comfortable food facilities for worshippers and tourists.

Giovanna Aanisa Thohir, chairwoman of the Mochamad Thohir Foundation, said the development of the culinary arcade was part of efforts to build a mosque ecosystem that benefits the community. She said the growing number of worshippers and tourists should be matched by supporting facilities and economic opportunities for local businesses.

“The Culinary Arcade is not merely about providing a place to sell goods. The mosque wants to create a business space that offers better and more comfortable trading facilities, serves growing numbers of worshippers, improves product and service quality and, ultimately, supports sustainable business prosperity,” Giovanna said in her speech.

The At-Thohir Culinary Arcade currently has 35 MSME tenants. Twelve operate every day, while the others trade from Friday to Sunday.

To improve the area, the Mochamad Thohir Foundation has worked with several partners to provide 35 tents for vendors. The site is also equipped with 38 sets of tables and umbrellas, LED lights displaying information and menus, and supporting equipment to give vendors a tidier appearance.