Western orientalist writings on Islam often present selective historical narratives that influence public understanding of Islamic teachings. One of these works is William J. Federer’s What Every American Needs to Know about the Qur’an – A History of Islam and the United States, which portrays Islam, the Qur’an, and the Prophet Muhammad in ways that raise theological and textual concerns. This study aims to analyze how key signifiers, Islam, the Qur’an, and the Prophet Muhammad are associated with signified meanings that deviate from established Islamic interpretations. Using Ferdinand de Saussure’s semiotic framework and a qualitative descriptive method, this research identifies three major patterns of signified deviation: (1) Islam is linked to coercion and revenge despite Qur’anic principles of religious freedom and forgiveness; (2) the Qur’an is portrayed as legitimizing violence and sexual misconduct through selective readings of specific verses; and (3) the Prophet Muhammad is represented as acting based on personal desire rather than divine command. The study concludes that these deviations result from reassigning signified meanings to key Islamic signifiers, producing an ideologically framed interpretation. This research contributes to understanding how semiotic processes shape contemporary representations of Islam in orientalist discourse.

Although grief as a narrative trope is widely circulated in media intended for both children and adults, a gap remains in how contemporary grief models, particularly Continuing Bonds and the Dual Process Model, are represented in movies intended for different age groups. This study aims to provide insight into the differences and similarities in grief depictions in The Book of Life (2014) and Manchester by the Sea (2016) and whether these portrayals can be attributed to the intended age groups of the films, where the former is aimed at children and the latter is targeted toward general audiences. Using textual analysis, this research explores how contemporary grief theories manifest in the two films' narratives and cinematic elements, and the implications for the differing perspectives on grief. The findings reveal that while The Book of Life (2014) approaches grief symbolically by framing loss through communal rituals to offer hope amid loss, Manchester by the Sea (2016) presents grief as solitary and unresolved, highlighting emotional fracture and cultural complexities. Reading them together shows that the narratives of grief are shaped by cultural values and by assumptions about who the story is for.

Despite the history of the 30th of September Movement (Gerakan Tiga Puluh September, G30S) incident and the Indonesian diasporas' status as exiles with feelings of being haunted and separated from their homeland, many Indonesians currently reside abroad. This current study aims to uncover and scrutinize language barriers among Indonesian diasporas in Glasgow, focusing on language barriers encountered, the effects of the language barriers, and adaptation strategies to face the language barriers. The findings of this study uncover that the Indonesian diasporas in Glasgow encompass the language barriers in Glaswegian accents, vocabularies or slang, and the fast pace of Glaswegian speech. The language barrier has significantly affected their living in Glasgow, especially regarding their communication with the locals and their emotional responses. In navigating the language barriers and adjusting to their new environment, the Indonesian diasporas employ various strategies, such as engaging with locals and learning through entertainment. In shedding light on the language barriers experienced by the Indonesian diasporas in Glasgow, this study highlights the imperative to learn and understand the cultures of host countries aimed at mitigating the challenges and obstacles while living over there.

The 1965 events involving the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) are considered one of the greatest human catastrophes in Indonesia. However, the 1948 Madiun PKI uprising also represents a significant historical moment. In 1965, the PKI became associated with victimhood, particularly in relation to the mass killings, while in 1948, the PKI was cast as the perpetrator of violence. This article examines two literary works that address the PKI’s 1948 involvement: Tentang Kamu by Tere Liye and Ayat-Ayat yang Disembelih by Anab Afifi and Thowaf Zuharon. Using Marianne Hirsch’s postmemory theory, the study explores how these narratives construct an Islamic counter-memory, framing the PKI as a source of trauma for the second generation of Indonesian Muslims. One strategy, termed "Re-Mussonization," involves the reimagining of the historical figure Musso as a central character, highlighting the PKI’s antagonism toward Islam. Additionally, the article examines the concept of post-Musso narratives, which challenge the dominant, 1965-centric memory of the PKI and offer an alternative perspective on Indonesia’s communist past.

This research explores the use of conversational maxims and verbal offers in traditional market interactions in Pasar Aceh, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, aiming to expand the understanding of communication strategies that enhance seller-customer interactions. Despite extensive studies on Grice's Cooperative Principle in various contexts, limited research has examined how sellers in traditional markets strategically engage with these maxims to persuade customers. The study involved detailed observations, audio recordings, and interviews with eight Acehnese clothing sellers chosen for their active roles in daily market interactions. Using Grice's Cooperative Principle, which includes the maxims of quantity, quality, relevance, and manner, the findings reveal that these eight sellers strategically employ these maxims to persuade customers, with occasional variations encouraging smoother and more effective interactions. The analysis identified seven distinct verbal offer types: direct product mentions, polite customer calls, pricing discussions, product origin mentions, customer needs assessment, store entry invitations, and color-based product promotions. These findings provide a grounded theory of seller-customer interactions in traditional markets, presenting persuasive techniques that may enhance market engagement and consumer satisfaction. This study provides communication patterns within traditional market settings, especially in Aceh, and cross-cultural market communication research.

The capitalist ideology has been critiqued in various disciplines, including literature, especially when executed by tyrant governments or influential individuals. This article examines how modern discourse, such as the novel Normal People by Sally Rooney, represents issues of capitalism in Ireland, which impact the rights of its people and their access to mental health. The study is a qualitative scrutiny of the novel, applying the Marxist Theory of Ideology by Louis Althusser to investigate such representations. The primary data from the novel and the secondary information from other sources are interpreted to investigate three main questions: How do Normal People portray capitalism in Ireland, how does this ideology impact the individual rights of its people, and how does it affect access to mental health problems? The study results indicate that the novel portrays the pervasiveness of capitalist ideology in the hearts of Irish people, affecting their rights to live and the freedom of expression, and the practice of capitalism has a substantial impact on Irish youngsters' mental health. Due to the limitations of the methods and data comprehensiveness, further studies on Normal People may consider alternative literary lenses, such as pragmatic and other analytical approaches, looking at sociocultural institutions and systems.

Various digitally aided applications have prompted ESL/EFL teachers to adopt them in their classrooms for games and experiments; hence, the concept of play in pedagogical settings has grown and become more modern, modifying the structures of Game-based Learning (GBL). This study, therefore, aims to analyze the effectiveness of GBL through meta-analysis. Following the set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 studies in East Asia, Middle East Asia, and South America conducted from 2018 to 2023 have qualified for this study with 14 studies on tertiary level (n=822); 1 on secondary (n=56); and 1 on primary (n=46). Studies were obtained from Google Scholar, OpenAlex, Scopus, and Crossref. Further, the researchers used Harzing’s Publish or Perish software to exhaust the search process. Sample size, mean, and standard deviation were analyzed using the Jamovi software version 2.4 to determine the effect sizes (Hedge's g) and the results of moderator analysis, forest plot, funnel plot, and Classic Fail-Safe N test. Findings have shown that GBL, as an approach to teaching English, had a significant and positive effect (ES=1.19) on students' achievement in different language domains. Educational levels and the type of game-based learning employed as moderators were also proven to be factors that may affect learning outcomes. Hence, more studies testing the subgroups mentioned above should be conducted to facilitate more comprehensive comparative educational research in the future.

In many Islamic universities, Arabic language instruction remains focused on memorization and low-level comprehension, limiting students’ ability to engage with texts critically. The lack of contextualized materials and limited use of interactive strategies have further contributed to low student motivation and superficial understanding. Addressing these challenges, this study aims to design and implement an instructional unit based on Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) for teaching Arabic reading comprehension to third-year students at an Islamic University in Madura. The study adopts a research and development (R&D) methodology using the ADDIE model, which consists of five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, document analysis, and pre- and post-tests to assess the impact of the instructional unit. Findings revealed significant improvements in students’ analytical and interpretive reading abilities and increased classroom participation. Expert evaluations confirmed the material’s validity, with an overall score of 89%. Integrating local cultural context and interactive technologies enhanced students’ motivation and engagement. The study highlights the importance of embedding HOTS into Arabic instruction to foster critical literacy and recommends applying this model to other language skills in both local and global learning environments.

Indonesia has a rich cultural diversity, but some traditions, such as the Dames performing arts of the Javanese Tondano community in Minahasa, are fading due to external cultural influences; therefore, preservation efforts are crucial to maintain this valuable cultural heritage and its role in fostering social harmony and character values. This research aims to determine the local wisdom values of the Dames performing arts in the Javanese Tondano community in Minahasa. The mixed marriage between the Tondano Javanese people and the native Minahasa people combines two different cultural tribes so that through performing arts, Dames can unite these two cultural tribes. Preservation in this research means creating and maintaining intangible cultural heritage from ancestors so that the community members can remember their cultural identity. We determine the artistic elements in academic studies through literary anthropology as a distinguishing tool in this research. The research methodology used is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results obtained in this research are regional wisdom values in four performing arts song lyrics Dames, namely: 1) values related to God, humility, and unity in the lyrics of the song Now It's Even, 2) values related to courtesy, honesty, and cooperation in the lyrics of the song Salam We Are Together, 3) values regional wisdom related to tolerance, harmony and love of peace in the lyrics of the song Thank You, and 3) regional wisdom values related to caring and strengthening in the lyrics of the song Asaranu My goal. Through these local wisdom values, the implications of the value of character education for students at school are also obtained.

Global issues related to Friday sermons include the potential spread of radical ideology, extremism, and discriminatory messages, which can contribute to social inequality and conflict. Additionally, the lack of education and awareness in sermons may affect the understanding of religious teachings and global issues, leading to knowledge gaps and social divisions. Despite these concerns, few studies have specifically analyzed the components of arguments used in Friday sermons in the City. This study aims to describe the components of arguments in Friday sermons in Makassar City. The method used in this research uses qualitative research methods in the form of discourse analysis methods carried out in 5 districts, namely Bontoala, Mamajang, Panakkukang, Rappocini, and Tamalate in Makassar City. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 15 respondents. The data collection technique was done by recording the sermon directly. The results showed six components used to construct arguments in Friday sermons in Makassar, including claim, data, warrant, backing, modal qualifier, and rebuttal. The study's results are expected to improve the ability of the preachers in charge of Friday prayers to utilize various argument components in each sermon delivered. In addition, using components with creative techniques is important to attract the attention of the Friday congregation.