Building the Vernacular and the Everyday in Islamic Contexts

From science to action: Principles for undertaking environmental research that enables knowledge exchange and evidence-based decision-making

The purpose of this study was to examine, how integration into the European cultural space has affected the development of national identity and cultural cooperation. To fulfil this purpose, qualitative analysis methods were used, including content analysis of cultural programmes, including Culture Bridges and Culture of the Eastern Partnership. The analysis showed that integration into the European cultural space positively influenced the development of national identity and cultural cooperation. The study highlighted the transformation of cultural institutions that have received new opportunities for the development of contemporary art through cross-cultural interaction. Particular, attention was paid to the use of the latest technologies, such as digital platforms, to present Ukrainian art on the international stage. The findings demonstrated the significance of state and international support for Ukraine’s cultural development and its integration into the global context, which increases the competitiveness of Ukrainian culture on the world stage. Specifically, it was noted that such programmes facilitated the implementation of projects that supported the mobility of artists and the exchange of knowledge, which led to the emergence of new artistic practices. As a result, the positive effects of European integration processes on national culture and international cultural exchanges were demonstrated, and the impact of European standards on the adaptation and internationalisation of the artistic space in Ukraine was highlighted

Article discusses the role of virtual reality in the exchange of cultural knowledge. Modern technologies, including virtual reality, allow people to get acquainted with different cultures of the world, to deeper understand their history and traditions. The article discusses the use of virtual reality in the field of education, especially in the context of intercultural exchange of knowledge. Through virtual reality, users can participate in various cultural events and experiences, not only as a passive observer, but also as an active participant. The article discusses the advantages and difficulties of introducing virtual reality into the cultural education system. This technology has been shown to contribute to the formation of students ' broad intercultural understanding and respect for different cultures. In addition, the prospects for the further development of virtual reality as a powerful tool supporting intercultural communication and dialogue are considered. The development of information and Communication Technologies has opened up new opportunities in expanding the exchange of cultural knowledge around the world. This process has changed significantly with the freedom of virtual reality technology. Virtual reality allows users to travel to places that are impossible to reach in real life, explore different cultures and gain new knowledge in a multicultural world. This article discusses the role and opportunities of virtual reality as a means of cultural knowledge exchange.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the existence of multiple institutional logics among a number of organisations within the international Islamic financial architecture (IIFA) whose main purpose is to promote and support the development of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) across the globe and how IIFA relates to the role of Islamic financial reporting standards.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review websites of 11 IIFA’s constituent organisations and undertake 7 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with senior members of a selection of these organisations to identify the dominant logics by which their role and (inter)action within the IIFA are shaped.FindingsThe study findings reveal evidence of competing (and shifting) logics and political interests that seem to have led to contradictions and inconsistencies among the constituent organisations. The authors explain this by proposing a framework consisting of religion logic, market logic and corporate logic that intertwines with the underlying economic system and acts as sources of identity–legitimacy–authority for the respective organisations.Originality/valueThe authors bring to light some key issues that may pose a threat to the sustained existence of IFIs. The authors adapt the institutional logic framework and incorporate it into religion logic within the context of Islam (i.e. hifdzul-din as the first Maqasid ul-Shari’ah), resulting in some fresh theoretical perspective that may inform future research.

Design knowledge is distributed unevenly across organizational boundaries within large enterprises. Within this context, there are two main barriers to quick and reliable knowledge flow. The first is the organizational boundaries which will influence the efficiency of new design knowledge flow from when and where it is located to when and where it is need for application. The second is that one organization or sub-company of the same large enterprise often knows little about what kind of design knowledge or capability another one has. These barriers will prevent the flow of knowledge. Therefore, there is a need to develop methods and tools to improve the performance of knowledge flow within large enterprises. This paper first presents a brief introduction to the context and background information of our knowledge flow management practice in a large enterprise. Then the definition of key elements of design knowledge flow are introduced and analyzed. After that, we propose a service-based framework for the management of design knowledge flow; this framework focuses on organizing knowledge providers and developing a knowledge service platform. The proposed approach was primarily validated and verified in a large construction machinery enterprise. In addition, future work on improving the approach to knowledge flow management is also briefly discussed.

This study presents a comparative analysis of three distinct religious and cultural groups: David, Deobandis, and Druzes, examining their respective contributions to religious thought and cultural practices, drawing upon insights from the Brill Encyclopedia of the Quran. The purpose of this study is to explore the interplay between religious beliefs, cultural identity, and socio-political roles, as these groups have evolved over time. By leveraging the extensive resources provided by the Brill Encyclopedia of the Quran, this study seeks to offer a deeper understanding of the nuanced theological doctrines, historical narratives, and cultural expressions that shape the identities of these groups. The methodology of this study involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining textual analysis of sacred scriptures, religious commentaries, and historical records. Primary sources from the Brill Encyclopedia of the Quran, supplemented with secondary scholarly literature, provide a foundation for comparative analysis. The study focuses on the theological underpinnings, ritual practices, and the impact of these groups on the wider socio-political landscape. Findings reveal that while David holds a pivotal role in Abrahamic traditions, particularly within Judaism, his figure is also emblematic in both Christian and Islamic contexts. The Deobandis, a prominent Islamic scholarly movement originating in South Asia, emphasize traditionalism and strict adherence to orthodox teachings, offering a counterpoint to more progressive interpretations. The Druzes, with their distinct syncretic beliefs, represent a unique fusion of Islamic, Christian, and other regional religious influences. Despite their differences, all three groups demonstrate the significant impact of religion on cultural identity and political dynamics. This comparative analysis highlights the importance of religious and cultural figures in shaping both religious discourse and societal structures. The study underscores the complexity of these groups’ historical legacies and their enduring influence on contemporary global issues.

Radioactive source security is an essential part of radiation protection. Sources can be abandoned, lost or stolen. If they are stolen, they could be used to cause deliberate harm and the risks are varied and significant. There is a need for a global security protection system and enhanced capability to achieve this. The establishment of radioactive source security requires 'cultural exchanges'. These exchanges include collaboration between: radiation protection specialists and security specialists; the nuclear industry and users of radioactive sources; training providers and regulators/users. This collaboration will facilitate knowledge and experience exchange for the various stakeholder groups, beyond those already provided. This will promote best practice in both physical and information security and heighten security awareness generally. Only if all groups involved are prepared to open their minds to listen to and learn from, each other will a suitable global level of control be achieved.

The process of modern design under the distributed resource environment is interpreted as the process of knowledge flow and integration. As the acquisition of new knowledge strongly depends on resources, knowledge flow can be influenced by technical, economic, and social relation factors, and so forth. In order to achieve greater efficiency of knowledge flow and make the product more competitive, the root causes of the above factors should be acquired first. In this paper, the authors attempt to reveal the nature of design knowledge flow from the perspectives of fluid dynamics and energy. The knowledge field effect and knowledge agglomeration effect are analyzed, respectively, in which the knowledge field effect model considering single task node and the single knowledge energy model in the knowledge flow are established, then the general expression of knowledge energy conservation with consideration of the kinetic energy and potential energy of knowledge is built. Then, the knowledge flow rules and their influential factors including complete transfer and incomplete transfer of design knowledge are studied. Finally, the coupling knowledge flows in the knowledge service platform for modern design are analyzed to certify the feasibility of the research work.

This paper explores what I propose to term the multicultural model for the study of Islamic architecture. In trying to elucidate this model, I will revisit the traditional definitions of Islamic architecture, which has rarely been examined without proscribed historical or ideological limits. This is especially true in the case of its presumed temporal boundaries: the polemical discontinuity from late antique to Islamic architecture, and the forced rupture between modern architecture in the Islamic world and its historical genealogy. I will propose a dynamic and multi-referential historical framework, with chronologically open-ended boundaries that accommodate the stylistic, dynastic, and sociocultural overlaps and emphasize the cultural diversity within the Islamic context, which produced the various architectural traditions that dot the historical and geographic map of the Islamic world.

In this qualitative study, we analyzed the processes of a collaborative online international learning (COIL) collaboration between two higher education institutions in Japan and the United States from the perspective of the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) framework. The research question this study aimed to address was: What is the utility of the TPACK framework, as a lens of analysis, for this online cultural exchange? To address this question, we conducted semi-structured interviews with student participants and examined their written works. From the student participants’ learning experiences, we identified evidence of cultural exchange as well as evidence of missed opportunities for cultural exchange arising from the limited knowledge of technology, pedagogy, content, and culture. COIL and TPACK both share a common goal of increasing students’ access to multiple knowledge systems using educational technology. As a result, COIL conceptually aligns well with the TPACK framework. This collaboration showed an ongoing need for the centering of cultural knowledge and cultural exchange in both COIL and TPACK. We, accordingly, outline potential for a TPACCK, a modified TPACK framework to center cultural knowledge in both with the hope of taking steps towards a more culturally sustaining framework of international collaboration.

With the rise in the occurrence of mental health issues among youths, especially students, an urgent need might have arisen for intervention strategies that respect cultural intricacies. Digital Therapeutic (DTx) quite interestingly serves as a frontier wherein technology is used to give evidence-based support for mental health. In an unfortunate case of neglect, however, there has been a lack of adaptation of these platforms for the considered needs of Muslim users in terms of accommodating Islamic principles and understanding. This paper took a huge jump forward in filling this gap by offering an innovative and thorough User Experience (UX) evaluation framework that holistically integrates Islamic design architecture featuring geometric patterns, calligraphy, and content imbued with spiritual significance. It also offers places for gateways into Islamic teachings, reminders to pray, and guided meditation. The framework looks very closely at and gives guidelines on important elements for Turkish developer to create DTx solutions within an Islamic framework such as usability, accessibility, engagement, and user satisfaction. Having developed through an exhaustive literature review and established frameworks, this model acts as a basic tool for appraising and thereby improving systematically the user experience of digital therapeutics within Islamic contexts. This research contribution attempts to improve the mental health outcomes for Muslim youth through digital health technologies alongside cultural inclusivity to suggest the importance of culturally attuned mental health interventions in today's digital realm.

While research on geographies of creativity have proliferated in the last few years, there has been scant attention to religious cultural and artistic practices, particularly in the context of the Middle East. This research seeks to address such gap with a focus on the Islamic and traditional visual arts scene which has flourished in Istanbul in the past decade and a half along with the rise of political Islam in Turkey. Rendered obsolete through the Western-oriented and secular cultural politics since the early republican era, art forms such as Arabic calligraphy ( hat), miniature ( minyatür), and illumination ( tezhip) have now found currency as ‘authentically Turkish and Islamic’ in an art scene that emerged alongside Islamist politics. This paper examines the trajectory of Islamic and traditional visual arts through the lens of cultural and creative industries starting from the cultural politics of Islamic urban governance through the 1990s and 2000s, and to the emergence of an Islamist-nationalist authoritarianism in the past decade. In doing so, it aims to situate Islamic and traditional visual arts on the map in studies on geographies of creativity, particularly in the Middle Eastern and Islamic context, where limited attention has been paid to cultural and artistic practices. With ethnographic reflections from the field, it highlights the internal dynamics of an art scene and the potential it bears in unsettling the core concepts of Turkish Islamic nationalism from within.

This article reframes the industrial-scale plantation of West Java as a cultural landscape, one that emerged through the process of natureculture entanglement. The research draws on methods including field survey, archival examination, onsite interviews, mapping, and aerial photography. The links between the past and the present are mapped and interpreted through the lens of cultural landscape theory and a post-colonial framework. The research demonstrates that labourers originating from neighbouring villages, the Europeans, and the crops are active agents upon natureculture entanglement, besides being agents of hybridisation. The plantation is a hybrid place of agriculture-industry, and culture, a place of both identity construction, and cultural and knowledge exchange. The plantation’s cultural landscape is expressed via a hybrid interplay between the local community’s cultural practices, the commodity cycle and consumption, and changing technological and industrial processes.

While governance theories are well-established, their operational application to transboundary serial cultural heritage remains minimally explored, particularly regarding comparative methodologies for evaluating cooperation maturity. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationships among institutional models, cooperation mechanisms, and management maturity levels across different countries. The research utilizes a qualitative comparative analysis of the management plans of fifteen transboundary serial cultural heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Findings show that governance is not limited to the functioning of legal and administrative structures, but is also shaped by trust among stakeholders, knowledge exchange, and participant processes. Four main governance models were identified: institutionalized multinational networks, federal–modular structures, bilateral–local cooperation, and community-led collaboration. In parallel, the developed Corporate Governance and Maturity Positioning Map reveals that the sites fall along six distinct levels, ranging from basic communication to sustained governance networks. The study argues that the primary factor determining management effectiveness is the intensity of interaction and continuity of coordination rather than institutional capacity. Overall, the findings suggest that cultural heritage governance should be understood as a multi-layered, learning-based, and diplomatic process.

The study employed a descriptive methodology with a cultural perspective, with a key focus on dissecting the novel ‘Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia’ by Jean Sasson published in 1993 to explore the impact of popular culture on the identity of Saudi women, focusing on the princesses within the royal palace. The cultural environment of Saudi Arabia presents a complex scenario for women as they reconcile traditional Islamic values with pervasive Westernized influences. This inquiry scrutinized how popular culture, introduced through migration and media exposure, molded Saudi women’s attitudes and actions, particularly those of the royal lineage. This novel is the source of data for the research. The analysis focused on themes, representations, and cultural significance. It examined language, imagery, and narratives to uncover meanings and relate them to broader societal issues, ultimately revealing how popular culture reflects or challenges prevailing ideologies. The findings revealed Sultana’s struggle to balance her Saudi princess identity with Western influences, revealing the complexities of cultural exchange, marriage practices, and societal expectations in both Western and Islamic contexts. Sasson’s narrative highlights how global influences, particularly Western culture, shape perceptions and interactions, enriching yet complicating societal norms. Vivid depictions of gender roles, sensory experiences, and emotional responses underline the ongoing struggles women face in patriarchal societies. These stories provide an understanding of the intersections of culture, gender, and identity, reflecting personal journeys while echoing broader themes of empowerment, resistance, and evolving cultural identities in a globalized world.