Islamic Background Research Articles

Narrating Diasporic Religion and Postsecular Identity in Tahar Ben Jelloun’s A Palace in the Old Village

Inspired by Western secular literary tradition, many diasporic writers in the Maghreb in general and in Morocco in particular did not include religious or spiritual themes in their literary works, as compared to the valorized ones of race, class and gender. Much of Maghrebian fiction, primarily written by immigrant writers of Islamic background who adopt secular perspectives that are often critical of Islam, has depicted religion, especially Islam, in negative terms. Tahar Ben Jelloun is one of those writers who are criticized for being self-orientalizing authors who ‘prostitute’ their works to their Western audience. But, Tahar Ben Jelloun is misunderstood by the majority of his readers. In this article, using postsecularism and secular spirituality as analytical tools, I will explore the postsecular identity and diasporic religion in Tahar Ben Jelloun’s A Palace in the Old Village. Reading the novel from a postsecular perspective and more specifically from a secular spiritual perspective, I will show that Tahar Ben Jelloun is neither self-orientalizing Islam nor celebrating French secularism. Instead, he is upholding postsecular values and diasporic consciousness by negotiating instances of extremism and communalism that mark the failures of both organized religion and Eurocentric secularism. Indeed, Ben Jelloun presents Islam as faith, as a spiritual practice; a diasporic religiosity which is not associated with any political doctrine or organization.

Islamic Economic Values of Traders in Traditional Markets in Riau, Indonesia

This article aims to study the ethics and values of Islamic economics in traders who still survive selling in traditional markets. The exploration of Islamic economic values and ethics as the theme of the study is motivated by the assumption that the trade order has shifted to a modern direction and partly results in the loss of ethics and values in several trading transaction systems. This research is a field study at several traditional markets in Tembilahan, Indragiri Hilir, Riau, an area called "Negeri Seribu Parit". The analysis uses a descriptive-qualitative approach from observation data, documentation, and interviews. The results showed that the traders in the Tembilahan traditional market had diverse ethnic backgrounds; where there was a majority of Malays from the Riau area, some were Minangkabau, then there were the Bugis, Makasar, Banjar Borneo, and what was unique was that there were very few Javanese. Even so, so far, the Javanese are very much found in several regions of Indonesia. Many traders in the Tembilahan traditional market still practice Islamic economic values and ethics. First, most of these diverse ethnic groups have an Islamic background, so understanding and teachings are still inherent in every behavior. Second, traditional markets that still survive are classified into different segments, such as the fish market, dawn market, squat market, and others, so that the value of competition in the modern market often "allows all means" to get as much profit as possible can still be controlled by the association of traders, and the local government.

The Role of The Islamic Conference Organization and Expectations of The Future Role

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is the foundation of Muslims in various dimensions of life. This research aims to identify the role of OIC globally. This research uses qualitative methods with a descriptive approach and a literature study. Research reference data was obtained from journals and reference books related to the role of the OIC. The study's results found ten dimensions of the OIC's role globally: politics, tourism, Islamic diplomacy, conflict resolution, humanity, cooperation for development, human rights, Islamic finance, world peace, and the development of science and technology. The OIC, as an association of countries with an Islamic background, needs to increase its role globally as a solution to various dimensions of problems experienced by OIC members. The implication is that in the future, we need to play an optimal role in population, poverty alleviation, finance, Islamic microfinance, halal economy, humanity and human resources.

The Integration of Islamic and Cultural Values in English Teaching

Teaching English is closely related to learning Western culture; however, it is only sometimes about using the same material. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia must play a role in integrating Islamic values into learning, mainly English as a foreign language. This study aimed to reveal the integration of Islamic and cultural values in English teaching to Islamic university students. This descriptive qualitative used semi-structured interviews and observation to gather the data. There were 42 students, and one lecturer was chosen using purposive sampling as the participants. The findings showed that integrating Islamic and cultural values helps students understand English more easily. Furthermore, it also supports students with an Islamic background. In addition, the observation result proves that students speaking, listening, translation, reading, and vocabulary achievement is outstanding during the observation. This current research strongly contributes to the literature on research about integrating Islamic values into language teaching. However, the cultural values that showed up are Islamic cultural values. Further research focusing on Local cultural integration in teaching English may be enlightening.

Challenging Patriarchy: Moroccan Women and Political Leadership

This paper studies the involvement of Moroccan women in political leadership in the light of the new family code and constitution. It starts with analyzing Fatima Mernissi’s the Forgotten Queens of Islam to refute the belief that Muslim women were never political leaders and can never be. Then, it examines the perspective of the Party for Justice and Development toward the engagement of women as leaders since the latter is a party with an Islamic background leading the Moroccan government from 2011 to 2021. Finally, the research investigates the Moroccan school programs’ representation of women as politicians in history and civic education from the fourth to the ninth grade. This study is urgent because it attempts to understand why Moroccan women are still uncapable of reaching higher political positions though the efforts Morocco is taking to facilitate their integration into politics. The feminist political approach is used in this article since it is concerned with critiquing inequality and political subordination of women while the content analysis method is utilized in investigating the reasons why women are not engaged as political leaders. The research concludes that the Moroccan sociopolitical conditions directly contribute in hindering women from reaching higher political positions.

Media Gerak dan Lagu dalam Menanamkan Nilai-nilai Agama dan Moral pada Anak Usia Dini

This research is motivated by the importance of instilling religious and moral values in children to protect them from the threat of moral degradation that occurs along with modernization. To achieve this goal, one of the approaches used is learning to use motion media and songs. This study aims to discover the stages passed and the benefits of using motion media and songs in learning to instill religious and moral values in early childhood. The type of research used in this research is qualitative with a case study approach. The location of this research is in Al-Hikmah Kindergarten and Al-Quds Kindergarten, Samarinda City. Data collection techniques used are interviews, observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique used is a single-site analysis by condensing data, making data displays, and verifying and drawing conclusions. The results showed that at TK Al-Hikmah, the planning stage was carried out by recruiting teachers who were competent and had a strong Islamic background. The implementation stage is carried out by singing songs about getting to know angels, getting to know the 25 Prophets, and getting to know the obligatory nature of Allah. The results obtained in the kindergarten are forming new positive behaviors or habits in children. As for the Al-Quds Kindergarten, the planning stage is carried out by strictly selecting teachers and preparing songs to be sung with children. The implementation stage is carried out by singing songs that recognize body parts and prepositions in Arabic and clap ablution. The perceived benefits are that it can stimulate children's motor movements and help to introduce religious and moral aspects to children.

حقوق نسواں کی عصری تحریکیں اور ان کے مقاصد کا ناقدانہ جائزہ

The Progressive Feminists think that all human are equal, the up and down of classes is harmful for Humanity, and Women cannot enjoy freedom in the Capitalism. End of exploiter and oppressions against women, their equal rights as humans, equal chances for education and to make ideology in Philosophy are the main objectives of World Feminist Movements. To perform their duties and gain the rights as the teaching s of Islam are the objectives of faithful women in Muslims. There are also many types of Feminist Movements in Pakistan. Some movements have the objectives of women’s empowerment through politics and legislations. These movements are struggling for women’s equal rights in the society. Most of them want Secularism to ensure their objectives. The implement of Islamic teachings is the objective of such women who have the Islamic background. Muslim women should be aware that the objectives of the Western Feminist Movement are leading to Antichrist. To obey the West is the loss of this life and the next life after death, as it is foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is a narrative research about the worldwide Feminist movements and in Pakistan and about their objectives. The objectives of contemporary Feminist movements are analyzed and criticized in this article.

Factors Influencing Charitable Giving in Malaysia: An Islamic Perspective

Purpose ― This study aims to discover how Islam, as a religion, influences its believers to contribute in the form of gifts, donations or charity, generally referred to as tabarruʿ. Design/Methodology/Approach ― Structural equation modelling analysis was used to investigate the online questionnaire responses from 402 Muslims who have contributed to charity. Findings ― The study finds that only targhīb (reward) and tarhīb (threat) have a significant positive relationship with tabarruʿ, while iḥsān (excellence) and ukhūwah (brotherhood)―despite showing positive influence―are not significant. It also highlights that the influences of targhīb and tarhīb are more robust when the respondent has a higher level of education. Originality/Value ― To the best of the authors’ knowledge, only a few studies on the influence of religion on charitable behaviour have been carried out. So far, no study has looked at the determining variables from the standpoint of Islam. Research Limitations/Implications ― Due to constraints of time and research funding, the sample population was not drawn from all states in Malaysia. The sample was restricted to Malaysians in Sabah, Malaysia. Practical Implications ― This study highlights that non-profit organisations in Malaysia, especially those from an Islamic background, should be able to organise their fundraising strategies with an emphasis on the factors of targhīb and tarhīb.

Competitive strategy of halal tourism in Riau: opportunities and challenges

The halal tourism sector is currently a hot issue that is still being studied from various scientific approaches. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the SWOT analysis of the results of identifying various internal and external factors of halal tourism in Riau Province. Then it is used in formulating a marketing strategy for halal tourism in Riau Province to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The respondents of this study consisted of six people selected by the purposive sampling technique. The potential for unique values and originality from the historical background of Islam and Islamic Malay culture in Riau Province becomes a strong potential in responding to competition challenges in the halal tourism business sector. Observations, interviews, and documentation are used in collecting research data. The results of this study contribute to the determination of strategies for the growth and development of halal tourism in Riau Province to be increasingly competitive. Availability of Halal Certified and Availability of Islamic History and Cultural Attractions Based on Local Wisdom as an internal strengths can grow and develop as opportunity. Transportation connectivity is not optimal as a weakness need to develop in internal factor. Communication network need to grow and develop for gaining the threat.

A Comprehensive Examination of the Concept of Women Rights in Islam, along with a Concise Comparative Analysis of Legal Systems in other Nations: Exploring the Clash of Narratives

This paper intends to offer a thorough and comprehensive examination of the concept of women rights, considering various perspectives and conducting comparative analysis with the legal philosophy of other nations. The research examines conflicting myths about women rights within Islamic societies, seeking to put light on the relevant complexities. By analysing the ideologies, interpretations and cultural impacts, this research seeks to present a cogent review of the concept of women rights. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to a better understanding of the complexities surrounding the concept of women rights in Islamic civilizations, and how they differ from legal frameworks of other nations. By conducting this interdisciplinary analysis, the research offers valuable insights towards the evolving nature of women rights within Islamic background and facilitates a deeper appreciation of the resemblances and differences across various legal frameworks. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the need for a true understanding of women's rights in Islam and the importance of contextualizing them within the broader global discourse. The study contributes to a more informed and inclusive dialogue on women rights and gender equality, fostering an environment conducive to respectful engagement and constructive reform. The study has adopted the doctrinal method of research.

Converting to pre-Islamic glory: historiography and national identity in the narratives of Iranian Christian converts in Denmark

ABSTRACT A widely accepted view in the scholarship on religious conversion is that converting to a new religion involves a process of biographic reconstruction. However, conversion may also involve a reconstruction of other kinds of pasts. The article presents a study of Iranian immigrants in Denmark who, coming from an Islamic background, converted to Christianity. For these Iranians, conversion did not only entail a reinterpretation of their individual pasts, but also a narrative construction of Iranian history in which Islam plays the role of an alien and contaminating force. For these converts, leaving Islam and embracing Christianity was not seen as the rejection of an Iranian heritage or identity but rather as a way of reconnecting with a pre-Islamic golden age that harbored the essence of authentic Iranian culture. The article explores how conversion to Christianity can be a multifaceted project involving simultaneous and closely intertwined negotiations of both individual biographic and historical-national pasts.

Sanak Value in Women’s Land Inheritance Rights: Case Study on Women Inheritance Land Rights in Karangpakuan, Sumedang, West Java

Karangpakuan Village is one of the villages in Sumedang, West Java, which territory was broken up into multiple parts by the government, as part of its land was submerged in the framework of the creation of the Jatigede Reservoir. Karangpakuan Village is one of the traditional Sunda Priangan villages, in which traditional customary inheritance norms based on bilateral kinship values are still practiced – despite the Islamic background of the community. These bilateral kinship values influence inheritance practices as these are not based on gender, but divided equally while considering other criteria, such as the number of children in the family and the role someone plays in the family. Using a qualitative-ethnographic research method, this article discusses the relationship between bilateral kinship values and customary inheritance practices in Karangpakuan Village. In addition, this article touches upon the issue of how parents reproduce bilateral kinship norms within a Muslim context.

From Religious to Ethnic Minorities: The Cultural and Social Integration of Pomaks into Post-Ottoman Turkey

This article traces the cultural and social integration of Pomaks into post-Ottoman Turkey and the controversy over their ‘Turkishness’. Current scholarship on early republican nationalism is particularly interested in the importance of the imperial legacy in nation-building in the early republic period. Scholars discuss that the Ottoman legacy of the millet system was vital to the formation of Turkish identity because the republican elites continued to accept Muslim immigrants from the Balkans due to their Islamic background. A closer analysis of primary sources with a focus on Pomak-speaking immigrants, however, reveals not only the challenges that their cultural assimilation posed for the government but also competing versions of Turkishness within intellectual and political circles. This article argues for a complex understanding of relations between immigration and nationalism, which shows that the public acceptance of Pomaks as Turks depended on domestic factors, such as linguistic nationalism and security concerns.

The Marketization of Educational Institutions in Increasing Sales Value at Nahdlatul Ulama Vocational High School

SMK NU Purworejo is a vocational school with an Islamic background under the auspices of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization. Over the past few years, the school has experienced ups and downs in the number of new students. This study examines the marketing strategy of education at SMK NU Bener Purworejo. This research aimed to find out the marketing strategies and results of the SMK NU Bener Purworejo in recruiting new students. This research used a qualitative descriptive design. Research results showed that marketing strategies and results carried out by SMK NU Bener varied greatly, including visiting community leaders, advertising media through distributing brochures and installation of 'banners' at strategic locations, school sports competitions, word of mouth, and socializing with junior high school (MTs/SMP). However, the marketing results are still far from expectations. Therefore the school is necessary to rebrand educational marketing strategies relevant to the current era to achieve the expected targets and combine offline and online marketing strategies that align with the digital era.

THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN ROMANCE AND FAITH: STUDY OF THE DA'WAH MESSAGE IN THE MOVIE "AJARI AKU ISLAM"

The form of Islamic da'wah is currently very rapidly advancing, as is the use of its da'wah media. Da'wah symbols are made more interesting for everyone. In the past, da’wah was delivered through events such as recitation or other formal educational events. One form of media used for da’wah is through film work. In 2019 the national film industry was enlivened by films with islamic themes. A film called “Ajari Aku Islam” carrying the theme of love wrapped in islamic background. In addition to being a means of entertainment, this film also contains messages of da’wah. By packaging da'wah in films, it is hoped that it can be a solution to improve the religious community. Combining pop themes or those currently favored by the community is also very useful for making films containing da'wah that can attract the attention of the audience. Attractive da'wah packaging is very much needed by today's people who really prioritize taste. The researcher uses a descriptive qualitative approach to reveal the message in the film that has been reviewed with semiotic theory. This paper found that maintaining faith is very important for Muslims and places faith above all else.The film combines Islamic da'wah wrapped in a romance story of teenagers of different religions. There was a very important da'wah message, one of them is as Muslims we must always maintain our faith until we die. Maintaining faith and Islam is very important for Muslims to do in any condition.

A STUDY OF LIGHT HIERARCHY IMPACTS IN MOSQUES: A CASE STUDY OF MASJID WAZIR KHAN, LAHORE

Light has always been an icon of magnificent and mystical interplay with architectural spaces. Our built monopoly utilizes natural Light in such a manner that specifies meaningful experience to the spatial design. Light is a supreme element in Islamic architecture that symbolizes supremacy and knowledge, forcing humans to relate to spiritual experience just by being in sacred spaces. The built environment, however, should indicate this worldly Light as depicting paradise, a believable phenomenon even mentioned in our religious manuscripts. Usually, the focus was on the design elements of spatial planning of these built structures, yet other modifying design elements are used better to attain ecstasy and Light is one of them. Almost every religious building in the world has some wonders and depiction that makes them beautiful and recognizable across the globe. Hence Pakistan also has many beautiful buildings with glorious Islamic backgrounds focusing on Light. The Mosque, a perfect symbol of Islamic architecture, has a beautiful play of Light inside that reminds of the holy verses. This study focuses on the play of lights used in mosques as the best manifestation of Islamic architecture based on investigations through descriptive and explorative data for analyses. The study was carried out through a case study of the Wazir Khan Mosque, which is beautifully articulated with hierarchical lighting used to enhance Light's impacts for exploring the lighted spaces. The research findings are that the light display in the various parts of the mosques is beautifully intricated in such a manner as not only those parts keep the Mosque well lit for the Devoutes like the central courtyard, Inner chamber that uses Light in a way that the identification of a place that leaves the user with sense holiness. Keywords: Mosque, Light, Islamic architecture, Pakistan, Lahore, Masjid Wazir Khan.

Assessing Awareness Level of Halal Cosmetics among Muslim Males in Malaysia: An Empirical Study

In the Proceeding of International Conference on Education Research (InCER 2020), Ambo & Md Sapir (2020) presented four items that measure halal cosmetic awareness among Muslim males. Unfortunately, INCER 2020's audience thought that the categorisation of respondents based on their marital status did not translate to good results since only ten respondents represented married males in the study out of 86. This paper aims to respond to the feedback given by the INCER 2020's audience by re-analysing the level of halal cosmetic awareness of 86 Muslim males in Malaysia in terms of age, educational level, Islamic background, and marital status, and employing Chi-Square and Independence Sample T-Test. The findings showed that Muslim males with Islamic backgrounds obtain a high level of halal cosmetic awareness than their non-Islamic counterparts. The study findings indicate that presenting conceptual ideas at the Conference helped us receive constructive feedback to improve our research work

Domestic Tension: Representation of Muslim artist’s body in online performance

This article investigates the relevance between body representation in online performance and Islamic art by studying Domestic Tension, an online performance by Iraqi-born artist Wafaa Bilal. Bilal lives under online participant shoots, with a paintball gun, in a gallery and broadcasts the event 24/7 on the internet. Islam and its laws, related to the body, played a central role in this performance and remained out of sight. The Qur’an mentioned the body rarely in verses; therefore, the Hadith is the most trustworthy reference to learn. Based on Hadith, figural representation between Muslims is banned, and the makers of these pictures get punished in the other world. This prohibition must be the main reason for Muslim artists’ use of symbols and signs to represent figures. In the virtual space artworks, the artist kills his own body to represent the body as a basic image, codes and sings. By analysing Domestic Tension, I argue that the connection between Muslim artists’ perception of the body and the definition of semiotics body in online performance can be a reason for artists with an Islamic background to use the internet as a medium to express themselves.

Wolof and Mandinga Muslims in the early Atlantic World: African background, missionary disputes, and social expansion of Islam before the Fula jihads

ABSTRACT This paper explains the Islamic expansion in Greater Senegambia in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries from an Atlantic perspective. It discusses the spread of the Islamic faith in West Africa and its diasporic continuities in Portugal and the New Kingdom of Granada (present-day Colombia) based on African oral traditions, scholarship from Africa and the Americas, chronicles, letters, and reports by European missionaries, travelers, traders, bureaucrats, and Inquisitorial and canonical prosecutions. The Islamic concept of da’wa, I argue, enabled Islamic preachers to reach out to a wide range of Senegambians before the Muslim revolutions. This expansion can be seen in the diaspora, primarily Wolof, and in the restraints imposed by African Muslims on Christian missionaries in Africa and the Americas. The knowledge produced in qur’anic schools was essential to Islamic social expansion, the preservation of Islamic belief in the diaspora, and the political orchestration that led to the jihads.

PENANAMAN NILAI-NILAI PANCASILA DENGAN MEDIA KOMIK PANCASILA (KOPALA) DI PESANTREN YATIM CAHAYA MADINAH TANGERANG

Today is the understanding of the values ​​of Pancasila in the younger generation is getting eroded. Of course, it is hoped that this will not happen to young santri. With a solid Islamic background, santri find it easier to understand the values ​​of Pancasila and do not fall into a negative understanding of Pancasila. Therefore, this community service activity aims to provide a new understanding of the use of visual media in the form of the Pancasila Comic (abbreviated as KOPALA). In realizing this goal, the methods used are lectures and evaluation using games by utilizing devices that can display comic visuals. At the same time, the participants who were included in this activity were the santri, who were also students at the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah and Madrasah Tsanawiyah benches, totalling 17 santri. They are santri of Pesantren Yatim Cahaya Madinah in South Tangerang. In general, the implementation of the activities was successful although with some shortcomings, such as facilities. Furthermore, it is necessary to apply the same action to adolescents at the Madrasah Aliyah level and training for teachers in literacy, software and hardware, gadgets, and classroom management