Muslims were called to use mosques not only as a place for worship but a point to stimulate economic growth among their communities, according to a top minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Muslims should think of ways and means to develop the more than 10,000 network of mosques in the country to spur economic activity, official Bernama news agency reported.

"The mosques and surau could be developed into a network of well managed retail outlets to sell quality and halal products," Najib said.

Speaking to a group of mosque leaders, he said among the businesses which entrepreneurs could start at mosques' were restaurants, bakeries, hair salons, tailors, stationery shops, Muslim pawn shops and microcredit centres.

"As the businesses have ample market, they will definitely open up more businesses and job opportunities as well as generate good profit to the mosques and the local Muslim community," Najb said.

He said that a flourishing business centre at mosques would add "dimension and image" and could attract Muslim youths to mosques.

"It will do a world of good if the mosques could also be an effective community service centre."

Malaysia's 26 million strong population is made up of some 60 percent of Muslim ethnic Malays and sizeable minority Chinese and Indian communities.