Religious Institutions Research Articles

The Role of Mosque Istiqlal Osaka, Japan: Preliminary Observations on Islamic Religious Practices for the Indonesian Migrant Worker Society

This research paper presents preliminary observations on the role of Mosque Istiqlal in Osaka, Japan, in facilitating Islamic religious practices for the Indonesian migrant worker society. As globalization has led to increased migration flows, many Indonesian workers have moved to Japan in search of better economic opportunities. However, living in a non-Muslim majority country presents challenges for practicing their faith. The study aims to investigate how Mosque Istiqlal serves as a religious and social hub for the Indonesian migrant worker community in Osaka. Through qualitative research methods including interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, this research explores the various functions of the mosque in supporting the religious needs and social integration of Indonesian migrants.The findings reveal that Mosque Istiqlal plays a crucial role in providing a space for collective worship, religious education, cultural events, and social support for the Indonesian migrant worker society. The mosque serves as a center for fostering a sense of community, preserving cultural identity, and offering a familiar environment for religious practices in a foreign land.Through this preliminary study, we highlight the significance of religious institutions like Mosque Istiqlal in supporting the well-being and integration of migrant communities in host countries. The research underscores the importance of further exploration into the role of religious institutions in facilitating the religious and social needs of migrant populations, contributing to a better understanding of the intersection between religion, migration, and community building.

Healing the Incurable? Pentecostal Prayer Camps and Healing of Chronic Illnesses in Ghana

Abstract Healing is one of the distinctive features of the Pentecostal movement. In Pentecostal missiology healing is fundamental and is geared towards the transformation of the human person and society. Healing thus encompasses both physical and spiritual ailments. It also concerns the healing of unjust structures of society – inequality, corruption, bad governance, and so on. In this article I examine some of the plausible factors that make persons living with chronic illnesses go to prayer camps in search of solutions for their illnesses. The article highlights how prayer camps in Ghana help those living with chronic illnesses negotiate their sense of self and identity in the midst of persistent illness. It argues that in a situation where healthcare systems cannot provide a cure for an illness, people identify with and rely on religious institutions and their resources such as those the prayer camps produce for support, meaning, and enhancement.

Accounting Information Systems in Religious Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review

Accounting Information Systems in Religious Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review

Conceptual Framework for the Psychosocial Management of Depression in Adolescents in the North West Province, South Africa

Background A conceptual framework is imperative in the understanding of the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents, owing to the ability to effectively present and demonstrate the linking of concepts for an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Objectives This study aims To develop and validate a conceptual framework for the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents in the North West Province, South Africa. Methods A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research design was followed in two phases: the empirical phase (phase 1) and the development of a conceptual framework phase (phase 2). Phase 1 consisted of two steps: firstly, a systematic review (referred to as step 1), followed by qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research (referred to as step 2). The outcomes from the empirical phase served as the foundation for developing a conceptual framework for the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents, North West Province, South Africa. In Phase 2, the development of this conceptual framework was guided by addressing the six crucial questions introduced by Dickoff et al. (1968) regarding Practical Orientation and validated by Chinn and Kramer’s five criteria questions. Results The conceptual framework focused on mental health practitioners, immediate and extended family members of adolescents, social workers, psychologists and peer groups of adolescents, adolescents diagnosed with depression, mental health institutions, homes of adolescents, schools, religious institutions, and communities. Conclusion The conceptual framework for the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents provides comprehensive insights capable of enhancing the recovery process for adolescents dealing with depression. Implementing this conceptual framework has the potential to enhance professional practice, elevate the quality of care provided, and contribute to expanding the body of knowledge within the field of mental health.

The Role of Communication in Work-Life Balance: A Study of Female Employees at a Religious Institution

The Role of Communication in Work-Life Balance: A Study of Female Employees at a Religious Institution

The Role of the Igbo Language Translators in Promoting Literacy, Moral Values, and Christianity: A Comprehensive Study in Igbo Society

This research investigates the significant contributions of the Igbo language translators to promoting literacy, moral values, and Christianity within the Igbo community. It explores how the language serves as a conduit for transmitting cultural heritage, ethical principles, and religious teachings, shaping individuals' moral fabric and spiritual growth. The study examines the role of translators in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps, facilitating access to literacy materials and religious texts, and promoting effective communication within the community. Historical and contemporary perspectives on using the Igbo language in educational settings and religious institutions are analyzed to uncover challenges and opportunities associated with promoting literacy and Christian teachings. The impact of globalization, technology, and socio-economic factors on language use and cultural and religious knowledge transmission is also investigated. Through empirical analysis and qualitative research methods, the study provides insights into the dynamic relationship between language, literacy, morality, and Christianity in Igbo society, with implications for educational practices, community development, and cultural preservation.

The Involvement of Religious Institution in Zakat Implementation at the Local Community

This study aims to elucidate the manner in which the implementation of professional zakat is shaped by religious institutions in Indonesia. Religious institutions, such as the Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, play a significant role in regulating the distribution of zakat. The methodology employed is descriptive-qualitative, which involves conducting interviews and literature studies in order to obtain relevant data. This study identifies a discrepancy in the implementation of professional zakat within the Religious Ministry. The divergence of opinion concerns the interpretation of the law with a view to determining the status of professional zakat. Nevertheless, it can be demonstrated that the polarization does not impede the implementation and distribution to the intended recipients. The divergence of opinion may be attributed to the contrasting methodologies employed by the various parties to interpret and examine the relevant laws in order to ascertain the legal status of professional zakat.

Religion on the island of Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic: piety in the public sphere?

ABSTRACT This article examines how religious institutions and religious media on the island of Ireland framed religion’s place in the public sphere during Covid-19. Through qualitative analysis of Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Humanist organisations’ public documents and religious media, it finds religious institutions supported government restrictions and adopted secular reasoning to justify their actions. The major churches also avoided claiming special status or religious freedom protections. This reveals a constrained religious input to public debates, reflecting a realistic assessment by religious leaders that they lack policy influence due to long-term declines in church power. The pandemic provides evidence of a reformulation of the relationships between religion, state, and society on the island, albeit with religion retaining more influence in Northern Ireland. Religious media outlets largely reproduced institutional discourses, with the exception of a weekly newspaper, the Irish Catholic. The Irish Catholic argued that stringent restrictions in the Republic of Ireland violated religious freedom, and made a case for the value of piety in the public sphere. But while religious actors still seek to contribute to public debates, there is little consensus or vision about religions’ distinctive contributions, even around existential questions posed by the pandemic.

Analyzing the Views of Religion in the Individualism of Moralism Between Religions

Moralism is a global phenomenon that can be found in various societies that adhere to "world religions" such as Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The purpose of this research is to know that the faith of religion is entirely based on their individual and personal achievement, and given by the pride given to the personal experience that guides everyone in their own way. Religion is a basic human necessity, because religion is a means of defending itself against all acts of violence that threaten human life. Religion gives meaning to individual life and also gives hope for survival after death. Religion can be a human tool to rise from the world's life of suffering, to achieve spiritual independence. Religion as a symbol of society is no longer visible since religion has been established as religious institutions, institutional religions in principle create a good institutional regime based on faith validation, using a secure president according to the authoritarian organisation that conforms to each tradition, in connection with the line of religious descent. Religion has become a legitimate tool for a group of people who have economic and political resources.

Church, Tsar, Cinema. The religious censorship of films in Russia in pre-revolutionary period

The article is devoted to the topic of the relationship between orthodoxy church and cinema in Russia of the pre-revolutionary period. The author examines the main reasons of the hostility to films of the religious content on the side of priests, first of all Holy Synod is meant. A special attention in the text is paid a position of Russian Tzar. His hesitation and dualism of the personal attitude to the cinema was wrong for the deal of the improvement of mutual understanding between religious institutions and new art.

How do the Special Autonomy Fund, Village Fund, and Zakat interact in reducing poverty in Aceh Province?

This study explores the interaction between Special Autonomy Fund, Village Fund, and Zakat in poverty reduction efforts in Aceh Province. As a region with special autonomy status, Aceh receives a transfer allocation from the central government, which aims to accelerate development and improve people's welfare. In addition, village funds managed directly by the village government and zakat collected through religious institutions play an important role in supporting the local economy and social of the poor. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of special autonomy fund, village fund, and zakat on poverty rate in Aceh Province in the short run and long run. The method used is Panel ARDL by analyzing data from 23 districts/cities in Aceh Province during the period 2015-2022. The estimation results show that the special autonomy fund variable has a negative and significant effect on the poverty rate in Aceh Province in the short term, but has no significant effect in the long term. The village fund variable has a negative and significant effect on poverty in the short term, but has a positive and significant effect in the long term. Zakat has a negative and significant effect on poverty both in the short and long term. The Aceh Provincial Government should conduct more intensive policies in reducing poverty, especially the variables of special autonomy funds, village funds and zakat so that these problems can be resolved.

The role of Islam in public consciousness in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the 1990s-2000s.

This article is devoted to the analysis of the specific features of the formation and development of the system of Islamic religious institutions in Kazakhstan in the 1990s – 2000s and their role in the development of public consciousness of the Kazakh society. The author studies the process of revival of the Muslim religion in the Kazakh state during the period under study, taking into account all aspects that caused the rapid and intensive nature of this process. The article analyzes the policy of the political leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan in relation to the Islamic religion, examines the role of Islamic educational and cultural centers in strengthening the foundations of the Muslim religion.

Implementasi P5 PPRA dalam Pengembangan Minat dan Bakat Siswa MI YMI Wonopringgo 03 Kabupaten Pekalongan

This study explores the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) and Rahmatan lil 'Alamin Student Profile (PPRA) within the Merdeka curriculum at MI YMI Wonopringgo 03, Pekalongan Regency. The research aims to address the challenges in nurturing and developing students' interests and talents at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI). Initial observations identified several issues affecting student engagement, including laziness, lack of responsiveness, and a tendency to give up easily. These behaviors hinder the optimal development of students' potential. Through a comprehensive analysis, the study examines how innovative teaching approaches and collaborative planning can enhance student engagement and achievement. The findings highlight the significance of integrating religious practices with modern educational strategies to foster a holistic learning environment. The Merdeka curriculum's emphasis on religious habituation is found to be instrumental in motivating students and uncovering their latent talents. MI YMI Wonopringgo 03, known for its consistent student achievements at various levels, serves as a model for effective implementation of the curriculum. The study concludes that tailored educational models and methods significantly contribute to the development of students' interests and talents, leading to improved educational outcomes and the overall quality of the institution. This research underscores the importance of continuous innovation and personalized learning approaches in education, particularly within religious institutions. The successful integration of P5 and PPRA within the Merdeka curriculum at MI YMI Wonopringgo 03 offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers aiming to enhance student potential and academic performance in similar educational settings.

Revitalisasi Taman Pendidikan Al-Qur’an Al Mahri Desa Pedagangan Kec. Dukuhwaru Kab. Tegal

TPQ Al Mahri is a religious education institution which has an important role in shaping the character and spiritual intelligence of children in Pedagangan Village, Dukuhwaru District, Tegal Regency. However, in recent years, TPQ Al Mahri has faced challengers in terms of infrastructure, curriculum, and community involvement in managing TPQ, which has been in a vacuum for three years. This study aims to explore the condition of TPQ Al Mahri which has been experiencing problems in the teaching and curriculum sectors. The research method used is a case study with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with various parties related to TPQ Al Mahri, participant observation, and document analysis. The results of the research show that with the presence of IBN Tegal KKN students, TPQ Al Mahri is revitalized so that teaching and learning activities run well and all of this cannot be separated from improving infrastructure, increasing the quality of curriculum, as well as strengthening the involvement of the trading village community through participatory programs. With the revitalization of IBN Tegal KKN students, it is hoped that TPQ Al Mahri can generation with noble character and broad knowledge in the Islamic religion.

The effects of religious group engagement on anti-abortion protest participation in Poland

ABSTRACT Religious engagement can foster either democratic or illiberal views among adherents. Some religious institutions attempt to mobilize believers against abortion rights. For these believers, when does religion mobilize pro-choice protest participation? I test three pathways by which a prescriptive norm of pro-life protest participation might mobilize believers: general religiosity, hierarchical pressure from religious leaders, and pressure from fellow parishioners. Using semi-structured interviews with Polish anti-abortion organizers and an original, pre-registered survey experiment of Polish Catholics, I show that religiosity does not mobilize anti-abortion activism. Instead, religious group engagement powerfully drives pro-life protest. Hierarchical pressures from religious leaders and group pressures from fellow parishioners only increase the likelihood that believers protest against abortion for highly engaged parishioners, but not less-engaged parishioners. Further, religious group engagement levels fully mediate these relationships. Thus, hierarchical and social norms impact individuals’ protest propensity to the extent that they are deeply embedded in a tightly knit social group.

Islam and Indonesian Culture (Rituals and Institutions)

This article explores the relationship between Islam and culture in Indonesia, focusing on aspects of ritual and religious institutions. Indonesia itself has quite a bit of cultural diversity and religious traditions, so this journal aims to investigate various aspects of Islam in life in Indonesia and how this influences rituals and institutions in Indonesia. The first part discussed in this journal is tracing the development of Islam in Indonesia, how Islam is integrated with local culture, and how the Islamic movement in Indonesia influenced the formation of religious rituals and institutions. Then the journal will explore various types of Islamic religious rituals in Indonesia, as well as explore Islamic institutions in forming Islamic identity in Indonesia, as well as explore their relationship with local culture. By presenting an understanding of the relationship between Islam and culture in Indonesia, it is hoped that the journal can contribute to religious, social and cultural studies in Indonesia in the future. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a focus on literature analysis. The research will explore information from relevant journals, books and previous research to gain an in-depth understanding of the role of rituals and religious institutions in the lives of Indonesian society.

The power of faith: Racial discrimination and religiosity among Black American men.

Research on prosocial behavior among Black¹ Americans should account for the daily realities that many face, including racial discrimination and cultural resources which may provide sources of resilience amidst injustice, such as religiosity and spirituality. We assessed whether racial discrimination, religiosity, and existential well-being (EWB) are related to the odds of engaging in prosocial behaviors for Black men. Using data from a community-dwelling sample of 171 Black men in the United States, we used logistic regression tests to assess whether racial discrimination, organizational religiosity, personal religiosity, and EWB were associated with Black men's volunteering, mentoring, and charitable giving. We also examined whether racial discrimination moderated the association between religiosity and prosocial behavior. Discrimination was not significantly associated with Black men's odds of engaging in prosocial actions. Odds of volunteering were significantly greater among Black men who reported more regular involvement at their religious institutions. Personal religiosity was also significantly associated with greater odds of mentoring youth and charitable giving. Discrimination did not significantly moderate any associations. Black men's faith is a relevant contributor to their prosocial action. Religious institutions and psychologists can work collaboratively in supporting this positive trajectory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of High Schools in Central Kalimantan in Developing Islamic Religious Education for Adolescents: A Field Review in the Technological Era

In the era of rapidly developing technology, the adaptation of the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) paradigm is crucial to improve the values of religious education in adolescents. Digital transformation has affected the way adolescents access Islamic religious information and practices, triggering the need to reform the PAI paradigm to remain relevant and effective. The purpose of this study is to determine the Role of Senior High Schools (SMA) in Central Kalimantan in Developing Islamic Education for Adolescents. Field Overview in the Age of Technology. This research uses a descriptive method of analysis with a qualitative type. The results of this study show that one of the schools, Al-Khair Islamic High School in Central Kalimantan, displays a strong commitment in the development of Islamic religious education. This is evidenced by the number of students as many as 500 people and high teacher qualifications, this school provides great potential in providing quality Islamic religious education. The use of technology in learning, collaboration with religious institutions, and structured evaluation systems are concrete efforts made by schools. Despite challenges such as a lack of understanding of religious teachers' technology and limited internet access, Al-Khair Islamic High School has taken continuous improvement measures, such as technology training for religious teachers. Thus, this school shows seriousness in meeting the demands of the times and improving the quality of Islamic religious education for the younger generation in Central Kalimantan.

Āl-e Ahmad's Faustian Bargain? Antonio Gramsci, the “Progressive Clergy,” and the Search for Hegemony in Late-Pahlavi Iran

This article explores the first translations of the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci into Persian and a more speculative reconstruction of Gramsci's reception during the second half of the 1960s by two prominent Iranian intellectuals and dissidents close to the League of Iranian Socialists. After examining the initial translations by the influential translator and political activist, Manūchehr Hezārkhānī (d. 2022), the author moves to unpack, Jalāl Āl-e Ahmad's (d. 1969) interpretations, reconstruction, and deployment of these fragmentary translations from an already disjointed and curated edition of the Prison Notebooks. Gramsci's analyses of culture, religion and religious institutions, intellectual production, and political mobilization were drawn upon for a variety of purposes. Thus, while some intellectuals, most famously Āl-e Ahmad, hypothesized that the politically engaged clergy's moral and political leadership was essential to the successful mobilization of the masses against imperialism and the overthrow of the US-backed Pahlavi dictatorship, others, including Hezārkhānī, ultimately came to advocate in favor of a popular front and coalition of secular and religious forces in defense of “democratic freedoms” against the threat of clerical domination in the 1979 revolution's aftermath.

The Tradition of Russian Independent Theological Thought: A Complex Interplay between Believers, the Orthodox Church and the State in the Case of the Conflict in Ukraine

The construction of the Russian state has been closely linked with the development of the autocephalous Russian Orthodox Church. Russian identity is deeply rooted in Orthodoxy: Russian literature, music, architecture and philosophy all bear a strong religious mark. The birth of the Russian state is also tied to the concept of Moscow as the Third Rome. Over time, the head of the Russian state has been invested with this mission to preserve orthodoxy embodied in Russian statehood. The attempts of the state to politicise religious institutions or to use religious teachings for political gains are not a new phenomenon and are certainly apparent to Russian Orthodoxy, including in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. The disturbing absence of distance displayed by the Church authorities towards the use of force has isolated the Patriarch, but has also triggered discontent within the ranks of the clergy. Dissonant voices have spoken regardless of the pressure exerted to silence them. In the complex history of State—Church relations, the symphony between the temporal and spiritual powers has fluctuated from complete subjugation of the Church under the authority of the State to a more autonomous and independent Church. On the margins of this volatile relationship, Orthodox believers and movements have always emerged to challenge both. This article pays tribute to the long tradition of dissonant Russian Orthodox voices and attempts to demonstrate the continuity of this tradition in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.