Aisha Muhammad Din and Sadia Jabeen
One of the biggest challenges faced by online learning systems is the absence of opportunities for the practical exposure of the students, especially in professional degree…
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges faced by online learning systems is the absence of opportunities for the practical exposure of the students, especially in professional degree programmes. The theoretical knowledge they gain is undoubtedly more refined and enriched, but it is quite difficult to provide an e-learner with occasions where he/she can actually apply the concepts in real-time situations,as student and teacher are at a great distance from each other. This shortcoming can be overcome by giving scenario-based assignments to the students during their study programme. A hypothetical situation is created in scenario-based assignments where students are required to apply their theoretical knowledge according to the scenario given. In this way, students are actively involved in brainstorming rather than merely reproducing bookish knowledge. In this regard, the Virtual University of Pakistan has adopted advanced methodologies for learning and evaluation of its students. For this purpose, the researchers have aimed to measure the perceived learning of the students of the BS Mass Communication programme. The main objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of online scenario-based exercises on student learning and comprehension; and to enhance their analytical abilities and the mode of student-instructor interaction. For this purpose, five scenario-based assignments on various mass communication courses in the autumn 2012 semester were selected; and an online survey of all enrolled students in five subjects was conducted. The tool used in this study was derived from Renda-Tanali's (2012) research on security studies. For data analysis,descriptive statistics, a one-sample t-test, an independent sample t-test and regression analysis were applied. The results of the study indicated a positive student response towards e-scenario-based exercises. The two prominent outcomes identified by students were their improvement in decision-making skills and deepened understanding of real life situations. In the light of the findings of the study, it can be concluded that students' learning in the context of scenario-based exercises was very encouraging for Mass Communication subjects.
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Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from…
Abstract
Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from the wrong' (al‐furqan). As this is accomplished by dint of knowledge (al‐ 'ilm). All these three guiding elements namely huda, furqan and ilm, are lined‐up by Allah, the Lord Providence (Rabb‐ulalamin), for earthly welfare (hasanah) and other‐worldly salvation (falah) of human beings. In Quranic context, knowledge, therefore, carries a great significance.
Zaid Al-Aifari, Mehmet Bulut and Monzer Kahf
The face value of nonowner-occupied real estate and business fixed assets is excluded from Zakah, according to most Fiqh scholars who argue that it has not been explicitly ordered…
Abstract
Purpose
The face value of nonowner-occupied real estate and business fixed assets is excluded from Zakah, according to most Fiqh scholars who argue that it has not been explicitly ordered during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (sas). This study aims to test the hypothesis that the role of these properties in the early Islamic economy was insignificant and, therefore, differed from today.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative historical analysis of primary Islamic sources and narrations from early Muslim historiography has been conducted to understand real estate sales and rent, construction costs and the number and size of houses owned by the Sahabah. In addition, inheritance reports and land gift records have been examined to obtain relevant information about the value of real estate. As for business fixed assets, the type, number and wealth of craftspeople as well as their tools have been analyzed to reveal their significance in comparison with today.
Findings
The findings of this study confirm the hypothesis that real estate for investment purposes and business fixed assets were quasi-non-existent during the lifetime of the Prophet (sas) and, therefore, irrelevant from a Zakah perspective.
Originality/value
This study intends to be a catalyst for the reconsideration of Zakah on these items of wealth and contributes to the Fiqhi discourse.
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This study adopts a qualitative approach to a critical media analysis of the multifaceted aspects of child marriage in the Yemeni context as an example of the broader Arab…
Abstract
Purpose
This study adopts a qualitative approach to a critical media analysis of the multifaceted aspects of child marriage in the Yemeni context as an example of the broader Arab context. It seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the current situation, underlying causes and consequences of child marriage, as well as efforts to curb the practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes a thematic analysis approach, examining various textual and multimodal sources on child marriage. A corpus of Arab media, including news and opinion articles, online discussions and public comments, was compiled and analyzed. Additionally, sentiment analysis techniques were employed to examine a YouTube report about Nujood Ali, a victim of child marriage in Yemen, to gauge the emotional tone and attitudes of viewers towards the media coverage and the practice itself.
Findings
This study identifies prevalent themes, narratives and perspectives related to child marriage in Yemen, highlighting the diverse journalism genres addressing the issue. The thematic analysis of the media corpus reveals several themes that align with findings from other studies, particularly those discussing the practice, its causes and its prevalence. The sentiment analysis of a YouTube report on Nujood Ali reveals significant insights into the public’s emotional response and attitude towards child marriage.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the content available in the compiled corpus and the specific methodologies employed, including thematic and sentiment analysis. These limitations might influence the generalizability of the findings.
Originality/value
This study is distinctive in its comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to examining child marriage in Yemen and the broader Arab context. It employs a selection of digital humanities software to attempt a systematic, critical media analysis on child marriage in Yemen. Thematic analysis has uncovered unique insights, such as the inadvertent consequences of legislation intended to protect children, which have instead exacerbated the problem. In addition, the media has highlighted the negative role played by some religious scholars in Yemeni Parliament. These scholars have used their political power and immunity to obstruct efforts to end the practice, either directly or by mobilizing their supporters. A sentiment analysis of YouTube comments clearly indicates that the practice of child marriage is not widely accepted within the Yemeni community, despite some perceptions to the contrary.
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The purpose of this study is to illustrate that Reformism dominates much of Arab thought, and it has continued to be a major source of inspiration for contemporary Islamic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to illustrate that Reformism dominates much of Arab thought, and it has continued to be a major source of inspiration for contemporary Islamic philosophy. Thereafter, it shows that Amin Elkholy was a pioneer of reformism whose innovative thinking led Abd-el-Jabaar Elrefa’I and others to recognize him as the first hermeneuticist in the history of Islam.
Design/methodology/approach
The research traces Islamic Reformism's rise and development, evaluates its status in the map of modern Arab/Islamic thought and determines its main figures until arriving at Amin Elkholy. Then, it shows that through evolutionism and a comprehensive evolutionistic approach, Elkholy undertook renewal in Islamic reformism as a multidimensional innovation. So, the interaction between traditional renovation and Western evolutionism produced a highly fruitful philosophy of innovation and progress.
Findings
First, Islamic Reformism contains potential for continuous advancement and development. Second, Amin Elkholy has introduced a model of Islamic Reformism and achieved the situation of authenticity/modernization in a way that seems very compatible with our postmodernism era and postmodernist philosophy.
Research limitations/implications
The research framework has been Modern Arab Thought and Contemporary Islamic Philosophy since the beginning of the 19th Century. The approach entails some future expectations.
Practical implications
The approach entails some future expectations and suggests topics for further research.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first time to notice some compatibility between Islamic Reformism and postmodernism.
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Mohamed Safiullah Munsoor and Hannah Safiullah Munsoor
Modern life is characterized by its hectic life-style, which invariably leads to high levels of stress having negative consequences for the mind-body. Thus, people are seeking for…
Abstract
Purpose
Modern life is characterized by its hectic life-style, which invariably leads to high levels of stress having negative consequences for the mind-body. Thus, people are seeking for natural ways to achieve a sense of equilibrium and peace. Neuroscience has identified beneficial findings from contemplative practices like meditation, prayers and fasting. Within the Islamic framework, these practices were found to be beneficial for both the body and the mind. However, comparatively little research has been carried out on Islamic contemplative practices. Thus, there is a dire need to carry out further research, where the focus needs to be more on the inward aspects of Islam especially the contemplative practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The study took an integrated approach, whereby, objective experimental data from various sources were combined with the religious narratives from the Qur’an and the Hadiths or the practice of the Prophet in Islam. This was augmented by the subjective experiences of the participants of the study and all of these woven to present a case for Islamic contemplative practices.
Findings
Worship, be it Yogic, Buddhist and Islamic, seems to have positive mental and physical benefits for individuals. Much has been documented within the field of Yoga and Buddhist practices, and it is only recently that Islamic practices are beginning to be studied and are yielding similar results. It has been found that Islamic ritual prayers, fasting and meditation (dhikr) have an impact on the well-being of the worshipper. The communities of practice commonly known as “tariqas” and other religio-spiritual orders can serve as a vehicle to further these practices. This opens the door for more extensive research in this direction.
Research limitations/implications
This study clearly indicates that Islamic practices have positive benefits; however, the number of studies are limited. Moreover, there are a whole system of practices as the contemplative tree in this paper points out, which needs more robust as well as longitudinal studies to outline more conclusive evidence to this effect.
Practical implications
Muslims have been looking at other traditions like Yoga and Buddhist meditation to find ways of improving their physical and mental health. This meta-study indicates that Islamic contemplative practices have positive benefits, and thus, there are a variety of practices like ritual prayers, fasting and meditation, which is found to demonstrate positive health benefits. Thus, it has direct practical reasons to pursue these practices and derive the innate benefits from them.
Social implications
The data from the various neuroscience studies have demonstrated the neurological and physiological impact on individuals directly relating to worship. However, the studies on the Islamic ritual prayer (salat) cited in this study points out to its social implications, where congregational prayers was found to be more beneficial than the individual prayers. Thus, this indicates the social implications that collective worship can have. Further research is needed in terms of understanding the social impact on the various collective contemplative practices.
Originality/value
The originality of this literature review and analysis is bringing together the various strands of neuroscience and health data to demonstrate the positive impact of worship emanating from others faiths, while building a case for Islamic contemplative practices. This is further augmented by its integrated approach of weaving hard and soft data and synthesizing it to present health benefits of worship.
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Asyraf Abdullah and Siti Rabiatull Aisha Idris
This study aims to review the effect of copper percentage in Sn-based solder alloys (Sn-xCu, x = 0–5 Wt.%) on intermetallic compound (IMC) formation and growth after laser…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the effect of copper percentage in Sn-based solder alloys (Sn-xCu, x = 0–5 Wt.%) on intermetallic compound (IMC) formation and growth after laser soldering.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviews the interfacial reactions at the solder joint interface, solder joint morphology and the theory on characterizing the formation and growth of IMCs. In addition, the effects of alloying and strengthening mechanism, including wettability, melting and mechanical properties are discussed.
Findings
This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the composition of tin-copper (Sn-Cu) solders with a potential to enhance their microstructure, mechanical characteristics and wettability by varying the Cu percentage. The study found that the best Cu content in the Sn-xCu solder alloy was 0.6–0.7 Wt.%; this composition provided high shear strength, vibration fracture life value and ideal IMC thickness. A method of solder alloy preparation was also found through powder metallurgy and laser soldering to improve the solder joint reliability.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on interfacial reactions at the solder joint interface, solder joint morphology, modelling simulation of joint strength and the theory on characterising the formation and growth of IMC.
Originality/value
The paper comprehensively summarises the useful findings of the Sn-Cu series. This information will be important for future trends in laser soldering on solder joint formation.
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Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido and Mohamed Aslam Haneef
This paper critically reviews and analyzes the trends in waqf studies within the Islamic economics literature. It analyzes the recent developments and debates in waqf reform and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper critically reviews and analyzes the trends in waqf studies within the Islamic economics literature. It analyzes the recent developments and debates in waqf reform and advances the argument for prioritizing research on waqf economics; the waqf dimension that is concerned with modelling how to utilize it to enhance productivity, consumption, redistribution, investment and saving, and generally contribute sustainably towards poverty reduction, economic empowerment and development.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is conceptual in nature, focusing on a systematic historical analytical review of waqf studies in Islamic economics literature.
Findings
Despite the documented historic role of waqf in constructing the Muslim socio-economic architecture as the third economic sector and a mechanism for civilizational development and renewal, it received little attention in the early writings on modern Islamic economics. While the past one decade has witnessed a renewed interest in waqf research, most studies focus on its legal, juristic and administrative aspects in addition to the nostalgic reflections on its past glories. Little attention is comparatively given to the socio-economic aspect, which represents the actual raison d’être for its institutionalization.
Practical implications
An important task ahead of the current generation of Islamic economists is to formulate waqf-based development models that are rooted in proper diagnosis and deep understanding of the current socio-economic realities of the OIC member countries for the purpose of uplifting living standards and stimulating sustainable socio-economic development.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the debate on priorities in waqf studies and practice and can trigger further discourses and research on the future of research in waqf economics.
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Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor, Nurhanisah Senin, Khadijah Mohd Khambali Hambali and Asyiqin Ab Halim
This paper attempts to explore the transformations taken by madrasah, especially in preparing students both in religious and academic field. Besides, this paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper attempts to explore the transformations taken by madrasah, especially in preparing students both in religious and academic field. Besides, this paper aims to demonstrate measures taken by madrasah in instilling the religious and racial cohesion far from conservatism and extremism that has always been labeled to their students.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is qualitative in nature. It is a library research and uses historical method in collecting the data. Some relevant literatures and data have been analyzed and presented in this paper.
Findings
Madrasah in Singapore has always been perceived in a negative nuance because of its ineffectiveness and irrelevant roles in economic building. The conservative and traditional madrasah education system is also seen to impede Singapore’s religious and racial cohesion. The struggle increases prior to the implementation of compulsory education (CE) policy in 2001, where madrasah was almost forced to closure.
Originality/value
Islamic education in Singapore can be observed evolving through three phases: colonial period where it adopted the secular system, post-colonial with the traditional system and, currently, the transformation period with its integrated syllabus.