Sustainable economic development : concept, principles and management from Islamic perspective

The basic concern of development in Islamic economic system is on human welfare. This is in line with the very basic objective of Islamic jurisprudence (Shari’ah ) which puts important to the welfare of the people and their relief from hardship. Economic development should be consistent with this central objective of shari`ah. The center for development process in Islam relies on man as an economic agent. It is man to be educated on the entire development process by integrating sosial development, economic development and environmental conservation and protection. This paper attempts to explain the concept, principles and management of sustainable economic development from Islamic perspective. The paper would start by defining the concept of sustainable economic development and development goals. Next, the Islamic principles for sustainable economic development would be discussed, followed by the discussion on the management of sustainable economic development from Islamic perspective. In conclusion, the paper strongly suggests the economic development process to fully adhere to the Islamic principles as the key for sustainable development which covers both the material and non-material aspects of life. Keywords: Sustainable development, Economic development, management, Islamic economics, economic syste

Development of a Non-Destructive Technique For Assessing Internal Quality of Sapodilla Fruit

Non-destructive techniques (NDT) by impact response using Kiwifirm device and colour communicator using Chromameter against intrusive method using Steven QTS 25-texture meter were used to evaluate the ripeness of sapodilla fruit var. Subang. Kiwifirm score correlated well with the Steven QTS 25-texture analyser, whereas colour communicator did not detect any significant changes during ripening of the fruit. Kiwifirm value of 2.7, which is equivalent to 1750 g hardness, gave an indication of suitable stage for the fruit to be consumed. The value below 1.5 indicated that the fruit was overriped. Non-destructive technique using Kiwifirm device is also able to predict the storage life and the internal quality of sapodilla. Sapodilla fruit with the Kiwifirm score of below 6.0 at harvest was more acceptable by the sensory panellist. Fruits with a score of 6.1 to 7.0 could be stored for a longer period; however, the quality was not so good compared to those fruits having Kiwifirm score of below 6.0 at harvest. Fruits having Kiwifirm score of below 4.5 ripened within 1-3 days after harvest, thus were not suitable for storage. No significant difference was observed in the colour notation system (L*, a* and b*) with fruit ripeness. Kiwifirm device was found to be useful in detecting the stage of maturity of sapodilla fruit, predicting the quality and also the period at which the sapodilla fruit ripens. The power line (Y=O.02x3.6026), which was derived from the relationship of score resultant from the impact response of Kiwifrrm device and days taken for the fruit to ripen, can be used as a chart to predict and separate the fruit according to the predicted storage duration. Thus the technique can be used to group the fruits into either storage-marketing and utilization purposes, or only suitable group for certain markets. This strategy can be used to promote sapodilla fruits for distant market or export purposes. Postharvest losses, which occurred during storage and transportation, can be minimized

Relationship between KLSE composite index and other major indices / Ibrahim Ab. Rahman

The main objective of this study is to determine^ whether there is any relationship between Kuala Lumpur Composite Index and other major world indices. The selected bourses and indices are Tokyo Stock Exchange (Nikkei ), Hong Kong Stock Exchange ( Hang Seng ), New York Stock Exchange ( Dow Jones Industrial Average ), London Stock Exchange ( FT:SE 100 ), and Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES All Shares ). A brief background of the selected bourses and computation of the indices were carried out in chapter two. Chapter three continue with the literature review from the previous studies which are considered as related to this study. Chapter four continued with the data and methodology. The data collected were the weekly closing indices of the selected indices for a period of five years from January 1989 to December 1993. There were 260 observations of closing indices for each selected indices. There are five hypotheses postulated in order to conduct a simple linear regression and correlation analysis by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS ). From the analysis carried out it can be concluded that Kuala Lumpur Composite Index is positively related to Nikkei, Hang Seng, Dow Jones Industrial Average, FT-SE 100 and SES All Shares index. However the degree of correlations is weak, except for SES All Shares which shows a strong relationship with correlation coefficient of 0.7222. Therefore it can be concluded that information on performance of other major bourses should be considered in making investment decision in Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange

Assessment of Impact on Landscape Development to Ecological Service Values and Goods Using Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Amongst the impacts of converting forest to agricultural activities is the degradation of ecology service values and goods (ESVG). Impacts on ESVG can be devastating in environmental, biological, and socio-economics manners. This paper highlights the study undertaken on the impacts of agricultural development in 0.8x106 ha of forest dominated landscape in Pasoh Forest Region (PFR), Malaysia, within period of 8 years from 1995 to 2003. Three folds of impacts on agricultural development examined and analysed are: (i) relationship of total soil loss and changes in land use pattern, (ii) mapping trends of ESVG for PFR in 1995 and 2003, and (iii) risk assessment of ESVG based on simulation of converting 339x103ha of primary forest into mass-scale oil palm plantation. Results of this study indicated that although only minor changes of about 1464ha (~0.2% of PFR) of primary forest was converted to agricultural activities, it have significantly increased the total soil loss from 59x106 to 69x106 t/ha/yr. The mean rate of soil loss within PFR is 0.8x106 t/yr, and if translated into ESVG term, costing US$4.8x106/yr. However, majority of the soil loss within all land use classes are within range of very low - low risk categories (<10 t/ha/yr). Estimated cost of ESVG for PFR was US$179x106 in 1995, declined to US$114x106 in 2003 due to 0.2$963x106 and US$575x106, respectively. This difference, however, is only marginal when full 17 attributes of ESVG were considered

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Characterization of Soils Laden with Tannery Effluents in Sokoto, Nigeria

Changes in microbial community content as well as physico-chemical properties of soil contaminated with tannery effluents in Sokoto metropolis were determined using standard procedures. The results showed that the soil sample contained a variety of microorganisms which include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcensces, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium notatum, Mucor pusillus as well as Fusarium sporotrichioides. It also revealed high counts of bacteria and fungi in all the sampling sites. The viable count of bacteria was in the range of 8.60±1.80 – 8.70±0.52 ×105cfu/g while that of fungi was 1.70±0.30 – 2.0±0.10 × 104cfu/g. Similarly, it revealed high levels of sulphide (0.35-0.44mg/g), ammonia (0.40-0.60mg/g), and chromium (0.20-0.26mg/g) in all the sampling sites. These levels exceeded the tolerable levels set by the Federal Ministry of Environment. The presence of these microorganisms and chemical substances pose a potential threat to the local inhabitants of these areas. KEYWORDS: Physico-chemical, Microbiological, Soil, Tannery, Effluent, Sokot

Effect of Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) Leaf Extract on Root-Knot Nematode of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

A screen house experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of leaf extract of mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) for the control of root-knot nematodes of tomato. The completely randomized design was used to test the materials. Results obtained showed that the leaf extracts of the mahogany plant significantly (P0.05) reduced the population of the nematodes compared to the untreated seedlings. It also indicated that there is significant difference (P0.05) on the effect of the extract on the test organism between the varying concentrations of the extract used. The study revealed that the higher the concentration of the extract the more its effect on the test organism. The result also showed a significant variation (P0.05) in the extent of galling, plant height and root lenght in tomato treated with different levels of concentrations of the leaves extracts. The implications of these findings were discussed

Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Growth of Helminthosporium fulvum

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the growth of Helminthosporium fulvum were investigated. Various temperature regimes of 10oC, 15oC, 20oC, 25oC, 30oC, 35oC and 40¢ªC were used to determine the temperature effect on the growth of H. fulvum. Maximum growth of H. fulvum was obtained at 25¢ªC and 30¢ªC temperatures. The fungus was also cultured on 100, 92.5, 85, 74 and 32.5% relative humidity regimes. The fungus showed maximum growth at 92.5 and 100% relative humidity. The growth of the fungus was observed to increase with increase in relative humidity and vice versa. There were significant differences (P¡Â0.05) in the growth of the fungus at different temperature and relative humidity regimes. The implication of these findings were discusse

Methodology of Ijtihad Jama'i: A Mechanism for Contemporary Fatwa Issuance

As time and period progress, issues that arise nowadays become more sophisticated and complex. Nonetheless, due to the adaptability of the ijtihad mechanism, Sharia, which is the rule that governs human civilization, is still able to offer a solution for every arising problem. Similar can be said regarding ijtihad, which is an instrument that renders Sharia’s dynamic, relevant and susceptible solutions. Ijtihad is now more likely to be performed collectively, which permits scholars with different areas of expertise or sub-expertise to discuss together and then decide on a fatwa based on the discourse. The ijtihad jama'i is performed by fatwa committees or organizations and institutions akin to it, as well as conferences and assemblies that tackle issues from the perspective of Sharia. It is organized systematically at the global, national, or institutional level. In addition, the ijtihad jama'i nowadays performs authoritatively, and the fatwa issued by it is bound to law and has legal significance. Thus, this study proposes an ijtihad jama'i methodology that encompasses the stages in resolving issues that arise. The study employed a content analysis and identified five stages for methodology of ijtihad jama’i, namely al-taṣwir, al-takyif, al-mushawarah, bayan al-ḥukm and al-ifta'. This ijtihad jama'i methodology would be beneficial to stakeholders such as fatwa committees, majma' fiqh, majma' buḥuth, conferences, seminars, fatwa, and research institutions in various domains, which are directly involved in resolving contemporary issues that necessitate fatwa issuance

In vivo activity of stem bark aqueous extract of Khaya senegalensis against Trypanosoma brucei

Aqueous extract of Khaya senegalensis A. Juss (Meliaceae) stem bark was used to treat trypanosomiasis in rats in vivo and changes in levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)were studied. The treatment involved oral infusion of the crude extract at 60 mg/kg body weight (b.w) simultaneously with Trypanosoma brucei infection, and 60 and 100 mg/kg b.w infusion of the extract 3days post infection (p.i). In all the rats treated with the extract, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in parasitemia was recorded on day 6 p.i and there was also significant (P < 0.05) increase in the levels ofAST and ALT when compared with rats that were neither infected nor given the infusion of the extract. It was concluded that orally infused K. senegalensis extract possessed in vivo activity against T. brucei butcould not prevent the disease-induced liver damage

Life table and demographic parameters of the tiger moth, Atteva sciodoxa Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) fed on Eurycoma longifolia Jack.

Age-specific life and fertility tables of the tiger moth, Atteva sciodoxa Meyrick were constructed under controlled environmental conditions. The highest apparent mortality (qx), real mortality (RM) and indispensable mortality (IM) values were recorded in the 1st instar larvae whilst the lowest in the fifth instar larvae. The longest lifespan of female moth was 19 days with 50% natural mortality (NM50) on day 15 and that of male was 16 days with NM50 on day 11. The mean number of eggs female-1 was 106.2 and oviposition period was 13.3 days. Values for the net reproductive rate (RO), mean generation time (TC), intrinsic rate of increase (rc), innate capacity of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) and doubling time (DT) were 42.03 female offsprings female-1, 11.41 days, 0.33 day-1, 0.37 day-1, 1.39 female offsprings female-1 day-1 and 2.12 days, respectively