Muslim Community Research Articles

Investigating Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī’s Approach Towards Inter-Religious Encounters in the Light of His Teachings and Writings

This research seeks to investigate the approach of Yusuf al-Qaradawi toward inter-religious encounters in the light of his teachings and writings. As a prominent Islamic scholar and intellectual, Qaradawi’s teachings and writings have had a significant impact on the relationship between the Muslim community and others. The goal of this research is to provide an analysis of Qaradawi’s writings and teachings to extract his approach toward inter-religious encounters and relations, drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources. Through a critical examination of his views on this subject, the approach of Qaradawi toward inter-religious understanding and cooperation is emphasized. The descriptive, analytical, and critical methods are used in the entire work. A brief description of Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s life, intellectual development, and works on inter-religious encounters and understanding is provided. Analysis of how he approached inter-religious encounters and relations, and how his views and thoughts on this subject have been received by both Muslim and non-Muslim communities. The study expects to provide new insights into Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s approach to inter-religious engagements, which are relevant to the contemporary context of inter-religious relationships between Muslims and adherents of other religions.

Integrating Islamic Values and Modern Medical Practices to Enhance Public Health in Muslim Communities

This study aims to explore the integration of Islamic spiritual values with modern medical practices as a holistic approach to improving public health, particularly in Muslim-majority regions. The approach seeks to bridge the gap between physical and spiritual health through a framework that accommodates religious, cultural, and socio-economic aspects. The method employed is qualitative literature review, utilizing content analysis and interpretative analysis of relevant scholarly sources. The main findings reveal that Islamic values can play a strategic role in creating more inclusive and effective healthcare services, through community-based policies and synergy between traditional and modern medicine. The study also identifies barriers such as inadequate regulations, limited access, and misconceptions about traditional and modern medicine, which can be addressed through stricter regulations and public education. This research contributes to developing a new paradigm in health policy by integrating religion and science, offering a multidisciplinary and contextual perspective. It highlights the importance of collaboration among governments, medical practitioners, and local communities in creating a holistic healthcare system. In conclusion, the integration of Islamic spiritual values with modern medical practices holds significant potential for enhancing public health outcomes while fostering harmonious dialogue between religion and science for the future.

RELIGION AND CULTURE: The Dynamics of Religious Life among the Muslim Community in Peresak Village, Sakra, East Lombok

RELIGION AND CULTURE: The Dynamics of Religious Life among the Muslim Community in Peresak Village, Sakra, East Lombok

A text analytics study on the alignment of an Indonesian Muslim community’s municipal corporation policy with Sustainable Development Goals

PurposeThis study analyses the supervision policy of Municipal Corporations (MCs) in the Indonesian Muslim community regarding its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachAs a single case study, purposive sampling was adopted to select a municipal corporation policy issued by Ciamis Regency, West Java, Indonesia. A novel mixed methods approach, combining computer analytics and human intelligence, was introduced to perform text analytics.FindingsText mining identified the most frequently occurring words — e.g., ‘perumda’ (municipal corporation), ‘daerah’ (regional), ‘pengawas’ (supervisor), ‘peraturan’ (regulation) — from the sample but found no single word indicating business alignment with SDGs. Further qualitative inductive analysis was conducted, revealing the critical role of MCs’ supervisory boards in business planning, execution, and reporting to align the MC businesses with local SDG initiatives.Originality/valueAligning MC business activities with local SDG actions is entirely within the authority of supervisory boards which demands transformational leadership. This research pioneered an innovative blend of computer-assisted techniques and human reasoning to investigate the supervision policies of MCs concerning local SDG actions, with evidence from a Muslim community in Indonesia.

Shāh Walī Allāh Dihlawi (d. 1762): The Hajj Journey and Intellectual Scholarship Between India and Arabia

Rather than simply claiming the “unorthodox” or “pluralistic” mindset of an early modern Muslim thinker, this intellectual micro-history aims to show the complexity of Shāh Walī Allāh’s (d. 1762) thought-world. This article follows him to Mecca and Medina for the Hajj pilgrimage. While pilgrimage is traditionally included in the fundaments of Islamic practice, it is also important to realize that the majority of Muslims have not historically participated in this pilgrimage. Due to the physical limitations of travelling as the Muslim community rapidly expanded in the 7th century onwards, we have nearly a thousand years until the 18th century where only a select few Muslims, usually wealthy enough to make the arduous journey, participated in the yearly practice. This created a complex culture of pilgrims in the Holy Cities with the cities functioning as informal circles of scholarship. Shāh Walī Allāh Dihlawī engages in this knowledge production process while carrying out the mandatory rituals associated with the Hajj pilgrimage. Thus, this article shows that the complex interplay of Walī Allāh with Meccan and Medinan scholars is a highly dynamic process with unexpected outcomes as specific sacred geography interacts with the conceptual (and genealogical) categories that scholarly pilgrims bring with them to this intellectual encounter. In doing so, we catch a glimpse of the 18th century through a very particular set of Indian Sufi eyes.

Factors Affecting Muslims' Decision in Tangerang Selatan During Recession to Make Sharia Investment

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy, including Indonesia, which experienced a recession in 2020. However, a unique phenomenon occurs in the Islamic capital market, where Islamic stocks show stability and even experience significant increases during the recession. The study explores how the recession affects the decision of Muslims in Indonesia to invest in Sharia and whether Sharia investment can be an effective solution to deal with a recession. Data from the Central Statistics Agency and the Financial Services Authority shows that the sharia capital market in Indonesia continues to grow, especially in the form of sharia stocks and sharia mutual funds. This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the decision of the Muslim community to make sharia investments during the recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study uses quantitative methods with respondents from various sectors of the Muslim community in Indonesia, including students, office workers, and entrepreneurs. The results of this study found that the decisions of the Muslim community have a significant influence on Islamic investment, with the results of the t-test showing a t-count value of 25.366 and a determination coefficient (R²) of 86.8%. This means that most of the variations in sharia investment can be explained by community decisions, while the remaining 13.2% is influenced by other variables. The conclusion of this study is that increasing Islamic financial literacy and religious understanding can be an effective strategy to encourage interest in Islamic investment in Indonesia. This research is expected to be a reference for financial institutions and policymakers in improving accessibility and education related to Sharia investment.

Indian Muslims: (Self-)Perceptions and Voting Trends in 2024

There are two dominant explanations of contemporary Muslim voting behaviour. A section of public commentators reiterates an old argument that Muslims always participate in politics to defeat the BJP. This argument is not entirely incorrect. The BJP did not deviate from its Modi-centric Hindutva-driven campaign. The party relied heavily on an apparent anti-Muslim rhetoric to reach out to its core voters. The failure of the BJP to secure an absolute majority in Lok Sabha, in this sense, is also seen as an obvious outcome of this strategy. It is claimed that the BJP’s attempt to polarize voters on religious grounds encouraged Muslims to vote for non-BJP candidates throughout the country. The second explanation is more speculative. The INDIA alliance has so far tried to avoid any discussion on the overwhelming Muslim support they have received this time. The non-BJP parties, except a few, do not want to publicly acknowledge the fact that their success was almost impossible without active Muslim support. This kind of political reluctance is justified as a strategic silence. There is an assumption that the pro-Muslim gestures of these parties will make the Hindu voters unhappy. Findings of National Election Studies (NES) 2024 take us beyond these popular descriptions of Muslim voting. This survey introduces us to the complexities of contemporary Muslim politics and its electoral manifestations. This article tries to establish a link between Muslim self-perceptions as a religious minority in India and their political behaviour. We ask three basic questions: First, did Muslim communities vote more actively this time than Hindu communities? Second, did they vote as a homogeneous community or as a vote bank? And finally, did they vote basically to defeat BJP?

Factors contributing to parental stress in newborns requiring surgical care: a cross-sectional study.

To assess parental stress in newborns undergoing surgical care. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at a tertiary center. The study included all parents of newborns requiring surgery, admitted between July 2023 and June 2024. The overall stress score among the study population was 3.3 ± 1. Approximately 90% of parents reported experiencing at least some level of stress (stress score ≥ 2), with the "parental role alteration" domain scoring the highest (3.9 ± 1.1). In the "surgical aspects" domain, 27% reported extreme stress and 22% reported high stress. Higher stress scores were found among parents of preterm infants (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.04), infants with a birth order ≥ 2 (3.4 ± 1.1 vs. 3.1 ± 1, p = 0.04), and those from the Muslim community. Graduate parents (2.8 ± 0.9, p = 0.01) and parents of upper socioeconomic status (2.3 ± 0.7, p < 0.0001) were found to have lower stress scores. Parental stress is significant among surgical newborns, especially in parents of preterm babies, babies with severe medical conditions, and those with lower education and socioeconomic status. "Parental role alteration" was the most stressful aspect, highlighting the need for targeted support.

Kesar Saga: A Critical Perspective of Ladakh

Ladakh is bounded by rich folklores, folktales, and folk ballads. Out of all the stories, the Kesar saga is the most popular and loved by one and all. All the people of the Ladakh region have grown up listening to the Kesar saga. The epic Kesar has influenced both the Buddhist and the Muslim communities of the region of Ladakh. Though it is the dominating folktale of the region, yet not much research has been done on the subject till date and hence, it needs to be studied properly. In this connection, I am attempting to reimage this heroic tale from the Ladakhi perspective and also to preserve it in the changing times especially when folk narratives are snatched by modern technologies. The attempt is also to make the lesser-known Himalayan regional literature known to a larger audience. Generally, the tradition of storytelling is an important part of Ladakhi culture and tradition, but today due to modern technology like mobile gadgets, television, etc. people are seen drifting away from their traditions keeping themselves busy in their own world of modernism. As a result, today this important practice of oral storytelling is fast vanishing. Therefore, bringing the stories in writing is becoming more urgent than before. So, in the future with technological development; the stories may stay as a source of entertainment and knowledge to the book readers.

The Evolution of Philosophical Interpretation in Islam: From Classical to Modern

This research examines the evolution of philosophical interpretation (tafsir falsafi) from the classical to the modern period within the context of the Islamic intellectual heritage. Philosophical interpretation, integral to the journey of Muslim scholars since the classical era, serves as a "gateway" to the progress of Islamic thought. However, the philosophical nature of this interpretation has sparked controversy and is deemed problematic from an epistemological perspective, becoming a focal point of debate among the Muslim community. The research employs a library research method, utilizing various literature sources as supporting evidence, with a primary focus on both primary and secondary data. The findings indicate that the emergence of philosophical interpretation is linked to the translation of Greek works into Arabic. Some fully reject or accept it, while others integrate it with Eastern traditions. Overall, a comprehensive interpretation fully incorporating the philosophical style has not been found; usually, this style is expressed separately through writings that do not specifically interpret the Quran. The epistemology of early-generation philosophical interpretation tends to be peripatetic, involving the use of reason in discussing aspects such as divinity, the afterlife, and scientific disciplines. Some figures or philosophers relevant to the philosophical interpretation of Quranic verses include al-Kindi, al-Farabi, the Ikhwan al-Shafa order, and Ibn Sina.

Development of Mosque Architecture in Islamic Civilization and Its Context in Indonesia

The mosque is a place to worship Allah SWT. Mosques have an important meaning for Muslims because they have a long history and are inseparable from the development of Muslim civilization. As a religious building, the mosque is a representation of the Muslim community that gave birth to and prospered it. Mosques evolve and develop dynamically along with the growth and development of culture in society, presenting two sides of the coin. On the one hand, this dynamic encourages the growth and adaptation of mosques to social and cultural changes. But on the other hand, it presents a problem in understanding the history of the mosque as a whole. The evolution of the mosque also opens up opportunities for deeper exploration of the mosque in order to understand history. By analyzing the development of mosques from various aspects, such as architecture, culture and social roles, we can gain a deeper understanding of the changes and development of mosques in various historical periods in the world and in Indonesia.

Countering Radicalization in the North Caucasus

Abstract By the mid-2010s, a significant decrease in the number of jihadists in the North Caucasus, in addition to internal ideological differences, was facilitated by fundamental factors: the lack of mass support in local Muslim communities, the anti-terrorism activities of the state, its informational and ideological support, and the policy of post-conflict integration. The number of supporters of the Caucasus Emirate decreased due to the split after the 2014 Olympics in Sochi; in 2015, the Caucasus Emirate officially ceased its activities, and after 2017, the flow of radical Islamists leaving Russia and joining ISIS stopped—violent extremism has begun to de-escalate in the region. To reduce ethnoreligious extremism and strengthen the integration of Muslims into Russian society, the federal government adopted a multi-level deradicalization strategy, including anti-terrorism operations and a large-scale policy of co-optation and support for moderate Russian Muslim leaders and their traditional communities.

Healing Structures: Sociotechnical Mechanisms for Centering Survivors of Domestic Violence within US-Based Marginalized Communities

Domestic violence (DV) survivors from marginalized communities face serious challenges when seeking governmental services and community resources. Current resources often overlook victim-survivors' needs, neglecting their choices and autonomy. Through studying the context of DV within the US-based Muslim community and embracing a Survivor-Centered Transformative Justice approach, we introduce healing structures, structures promoting justice for victim-survivors and their communities, where healing is promoted by tackling harmful practices and discriminatory laws and fostering collective and survivor-centered interventions. Through focus groups, design concepts, and expert evaluations, we unveil three sociotechnical processes that establish healing structures for survivors and their communities when implemented collectively and simultaneously. The processes are: 1) Survivor advocacy, ensuring safety, empowerment, informed decision-making, and care continuity. 2) Community accountability, encouraging reparation and behavioral change of abusers through communal intervention and support. 3) Institutional transformation, reshaping broader conditions perpetuating abuse through preventive measures and structural reform. We conclude by reflecting on healing structures and discussing their design implications and potential tensions.

Nested multilevel modelling study of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption among middle aged and elderly Indian adults: distribution, determinants and socioeconomic disparities

IntroductionThe Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) shows a drop in tobacco use worldwide. Despite the drop, there still continues to be a significant number of tobacco users in India. Research on tobacco use among young persons is commonly prioritised in India, while studies on tobacco use among middle-aged (45–59 years) and elderly (≥ 60 years) adults are noticeably lacking. We have conducted this study with objective to estimate the distribution, determinants and socioeconomic inequalities of smoking (SM) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption across Indian states and union territories.MethodsThis study was based on 66,606 participants aged ≥ 45 years using Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI)-1 (2017–2018) data. Distribution of tobacco consumption (any form, smoking (SM), smokeless (SLT) and both) was documented as per Indian states and union territories with spatial distribution by Indian map. Demographic, socioeconomic, health related and behavioural determinants were established using nested multilevel regression modelling. Socioeconomic disparities were documented using concentration curve. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsOverall, 36.78% participants documented using any form of tobacco; with higher consumption of SLT (19.88%) than smoking/SM (13.92%). Only 2.98% consumed both. Mizoram had highest consumption of tobacco in any form (78.21%) and smoking (35.18%). Elderly participants had higher odds of consuming tobacco (any 1.23 (1.18–1.28), SM 1.99 (1.14–1.27), SLT 1.08 (1.03–1.14) and both 1.27 (1.14–1.40 times) than middle aged participants. Females, OBC (other backward castes), urban residence had lower odds in all the categories, while being widow/ separated/ divorced, belonging to Muslim community, having clerical and skilled occupation, poor self-rated health, comorbidity and multimorbidity had higher odds. With decrease in the wealth index, educational status and frequency of physical activity the odds of tobacco consumption increased. The odds of higher tobacco consumption were documented from northeast region (2.56 (2.37–2.76) higher than north). Alcohol consumption had the highest odds (4.94 (4.69–5.21)). Participants exposed to media had lower odds (11% lower) of consuming tobacco. The socioeconomic inequalities in tobacco consumption were significantly distributed more among the poorest (any -0.064 (-0.072 to -0.056) and SLT -0.069 (-0.072 to -0.056)).ConclusionPrioritising tobacco prevention and increasing availability and accessibility of cessation programmes that are suited with unique requirements and circumstances, even for elderly population, are essential focusing on the higher determinants across poorest section in the country.

Who Am I? Exploring the Role of Religious Beliefs in Shaping the Ethnic Identity of Tibetan Muslims: A Case Study in Hebalin, Lhasa, Tibet

Tibetan Muslims, as a unique ethnic group, hold significant religious, anthropological, and sociological value. This article examines the social functions of Islamic beliefs through questionnaires and structured interviews, focusing on the Tibetan Muslim community in Hebalin, Lhasa, Tibet. We analyze how Islamic beliefs influence the evolution of Tibetan Muslim ethnic identity and explore the relationship between nationality and religion. The key factors discussed include the developmental history of local Tibetan Muslims, the status of their Islamic culture, their community interactions, and changes in their ethnic identity. Despite these changes, their Islamic beliefs have remained consistent, playing a crucial role in shaping their ethnic identity, which mirrors the developmental history of their beliefs.

Berlin and Brandenburg as “laboratories” of Jewish-Muslim encounter

Currently, Jewish and Muslim communities can be found as ethno-cultural minorities both in Berlin, the capital of Germany, and in the surrounding state of Brandenburg. While they sometimes differ greatly in religious and cultural life, both communities also share similar experiences - such as the (former) existence as immigrants, the image of the “cultural other” and the confrontation with group-related misanthropy (anti-Semitism and Islamophobia). Moreover, there are Jewish-Muslim encounters, there are forms of encounter between Muslims and Jews in the region, in different milieus and intercultural and interreligious projects that appear as a kind of “experimental laboratory”. Though, what are the differences, what are the similarities between the two groups? Finally, this article also relates to how October 7th 2023, Hamas’ brutal massacres of Israeli civilians and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip influence relationships between Muslims and Jews in Berlin and Brandenburg today.

Factors associated with mental health outcomes in a Muslim community following the Christchurch terrorist attack.

On 15 March 2019, a white supremacist terrorist attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Fifty-one people were killed and another 40 sustained non-fatal gunshot injuries. To examine the mental health of the Muslim community, and individual and exposure-related factors associated with mental health outcomes. This is the baseline analysis of a longitudinal study of adults from the Muslim community interviewed 11-32 months after the shootings. It included a diagnostic interview (MINI), measures of sociodemographic factors, prior mental health, prior traumatic events, exposure in the attacks, discrimination, life stressors, social support and religious coping. Logistic regression models examined associations with mental health outcomes. The sample comprised 189 participants (mean age 41 (s.d. = 13); 60% female), and included: bereaved, 17% (n = 32); injured survivors 12% (n = 22); non-injured survivors, 19% (n = 36); family members of survivors, 35% (n = 67); and community members without the above exposures, 39% (n = 74). Overall, 61% had at least one mental disorder since the attacks. Those bereaved (P < 0.01, odds ratio 4.28, 95% CI 1.75-10.49) and survivors, whether injured (P < 0.001, odds ratio 18.08, 95% CI 4.70-69.60) or not (P < 0.01, odds ratio 5.26, 95% CI 1.99-13.89), had greater odds of post-traumatic stress disorder. Those bereaved (P < 0.001, odds ratio 5.79, 95% CI 2.49-13.46) or injured (P = 0.04, odds ratio 4.43, 95% CI 1.07-18.28) had greater odds of depression. Despite unique features of this attack on a Muslim population, findings accord with previous studies. They suggest generalisability of psychopathology after terror attacks, and that being bereaved or directly experiencing such events is associated with adverse mental health outcomes. The study is registered on the Australian NZ Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000909921).

Factors determining the adoption of mobile banking in Ethiopian Islamic banks: extension of technology acceptance model (TAM)

Purpose This study aims to assess the factors determining the adoption of Islamic mobile banking (M-banking) in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach The study area covers the city of Dire Dawa, Harar and Jigjiga, where the Muslim community dominates. A sample of 378 out of 400 respondents who are currently customers of different Islamic banks provide their opinion on questions developed in a Five-point Likert scale indicator. The collected data were analyzed by the least square method and with the help of SPSS version 25. Findings The result of the study revealed that the perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived advantage and trust have a positive significant impact on the adoption of Islamic M-banking. Perceived risk was found to have an insignificant impact on the adoption of Islamic mobile banking in Ethiopia. Research limitations/implications Future researchers in the realm of Islamic mobile banking can expand their investigations in several key areas. Longitudinal and cross-cultural studies could be undertaken to explore how those factors affect over time and in different cultural settings. Practical implications As a policy implication, the study recommends that banks should develop transparent communication and implement robust security measures, emphasize practical benefits, invest in user-friendly interfaces and highlight the relative advantage they provide over others. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is considered as the first attempt to examine factors that determine Ethiopian Islamic banking customers to adopt Islamic M-banking services, which was not considered in previous studies.

Who are the people of Cyprus? The national identity building process in Cyprus from the late 19th to the early 20th century

Abstract This article offers a nuanced examination of the complex identity dynamics among the Christian and Muslim communities in Cyprus during the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of British administration replacing Ottoman rule in 1878. The article draws attention to the profound impact of this historical transition on the identity formation processes of both communities. Despite the shared wartime experience of the First World War, the Christian and Muslim communities in Cyprus failed to construct a cohesive identity rooted in their common geographical space. Drawing on Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of ambivalence, the article explores the complex process by which Cypriot communities sought to align their identity with larger nations, namely Greece and Turkey, rather than grounding it in their local context. The article contends that the genesis of their ambivalence can be traced back to 1878 when British administration replaced Ottoman rule on the island.

Addressing Inheritance and Divorce Disputes in Deathbed Situations: A Maslahah-Based Study of South Africa�s Muslim Minority

South Africa features a blend of legislative regulations, customary laws, and evolving legal principles. This dynamic becomes especially complex for the small Muslim community, which must also adhere to Islamic Law, particularly in matters of inheritance distribution. Currently, South African legal references regarding inheritance under Islamic law are limited. This article seeks to analyze a specific inheritance case in which a husband, on his deathbed, has two wives, a son, and a daughter. The first wife was divorced while he was on his deathbed, and during this period, he married another woman before ultimately passing away. In his will, the husband stipulated that the estate should be distributed according to Islamic law, thus entitling his legitimate wife to inheritance. This study employs descriptive qualitative research using scenario-thinking methods to explore potential future outcomes for which no legal precedent exists. In analyzing this case, the concept of public interest (maslahah) emerges as a relevant theory aligned with the principle of justice. Various scholarly opinions from Islamic legal schools were also utilized in the analysis. The article recommends that the South African Muslim Judicial Council prioritize maslahah, proposing that both wives share 3/24 of the estate, the son receive 14/24, and the daughter receive 7/24. Although this decision has not yet been formally recognized in Islamic law, it can be viewed as an act of independent reasoning (ijtihad) based on the principle of justice through the approach of public interest without specific textual evidence (maslahah mursalah). Additionally, rationalized public interest (maslahah ma�qul al-ma�na) was applied to allocate inheritance to the first wife, acknowledging her extended time with the deceased husband.