Pengaruh media dalam dialog kehidupan: perspektif pengalaman saudara baru

Pengaruh media dalam dialog kehidupan yang berlaku dalam pengalaman komuniti pra konversi Saudara Baru menyumbang kepada proses pemelukan agama Islam. Pengalaman ini turut berlaku dalam kehidupan masyarakat Saudara Baru Cina di negeri Terengganu. Pengaruh media yang memapar unsur-unsur keagamaan Islam melalui perkongsian aktiviti Muslim-non Muslim yang dikenali sebagai dialog kehidupan ini membolehkan komuniti Saudara Baru pra konversi memahami nilai sebenar agama Islam dan sedikit sebanyak mengubah persepsi mereka terhadap agama tersebut. Objektif kajian ini ialah melihat pengaruh media terhadap memberi kefahaman nilai-nilai agama Islam dalam kalangan Saudara Baru pra konversi ketika terlibat dalam dialog kehidupan. Temubual telah dilakukan ke atas Saudara Baru yang telah memeluk agama Islam di negeri Terengganu. Hasil kajian mendapati, pemahaman terhadap agama Islam yang tercipta hasil daripada penglibatan Saudara Baru pra konversi dalam dialog kehidupan mencetuskan satu paradigma untuk mereka meneroka agama Islam dengan lebih mendalam. Pengalaman dialog kehidupan pra konversi Saudara Baru ini menjelaskan bahawa peranan media menyumbang terhadap proses mengenal dan memahami agama Islam yang berlaku di negeri Terengganu

Dorongan pemelukan agama Islam dalam kalangan komuniti minoriti di sebuah negeri majoriti Melayu.

Pemelukan agama merupakan perpindahan kepercayaan yang berlaku dalam kehidupan masyarakat pelbagai etnik yang disebabkan pelbagai faktor. Perihal yang sama berlaku dalam kehidupan komuniti Cina yang merupakan 2.4 % daripada jumlah penduduk di negeri Terengganu. Objektif kajian ini adalah melihatkan faktor pemelukan agama Islam dalam kalangan masyarakat Cina di negeri Terengganu dan bagaimana fenomena ini berlaku. Kajian deskriptif ini, dilakukan dengan menggunakan metod kualitatif iaitu dengan temu bual ke atas 20 orang Saudara Baru Cina yang memeluk Islam di negeri Terengganu. Selain itu, temu bual juga dilakukan ke atas tiga orang tokoh yang terlibat secara langsung dalam menjaga kebajikan Saudara Baru Cina di negeri Terengganu. Kajian mendapati komuniti Cina Muslim di negeri Terengganu memeluk agama Islam kerana faktor pergaulan dengan rakan Muslim, perkahwinan, pengkajian, hidayah dari Ilahi dan dorongan dari keluarga yang telah memeluk agama Islam

IMAGE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS

The main purpose of this study is to understand the perception of the image and pride of working in the technical and vocational fields from the perspective of parents and teachers in secondary schools. This study was conducted in two zones, namely North (Kedah) and central zone (Selangor). Two schools were chosen from each zone, one from the city (Kajang) and the other one from rural (Dengkil), which are sufficient to obtain the views of parents and teachers. Purposive sampling was selected for the focus group discussions in schools with the participation of PTA members, i.e., parents, teachers, career counselors teachers. The results showed that there were two main themes, namely, positive and negative image of technical education and vocational training among parents and teachers. However, the negative image remained resilient among parents and teachers, especially in deciding on career paths in technical and vocational fields. The researcher also identified several new issues, for example, wastage of manpower in the country, among them due to the weak prerequisite set in selecting students in technical and vocational education system; Students who do not meet the Malay Language (Bahasa Melayu) prerequisite are unable to continue studying skills at higher certificate level. Students of Islamic studies and Arabic Language, students with academic excellence and girls who are interested in technical education and vocational training should be considered as a highly skilled workforce in the future. Some implications of this study were presented as suggestion in formulating policies to improve the image of technical education and vocational training

Corn starch doped with sodium iodate as solid polymer electrolytes for energy storage applications

The concern about environmental problems has inspired a of energy storage devices from natural sources. In this study, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films made from corn starch doped with different compositions of sodium iodate (NaIO3) were prepared via the solution casting technique. The effect of dopants on the structure, morphology and electrical properties of SPE films was analysed using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. From the XRD, it shows that the amorphous state would influence the conductivity values of SPE films. Then, the SEM observations revealed that the films seem to be rough, porous and having branch structure, which may affect the conductivity of SPE films. The maximum conductivity of SPE film is obtained from 3 wt.% of NaIO3 with a value of 1.08 × 10−4 Scm−1 at room temperature (303K). From the results, this SPE is proposed to have a great potential in future energy storage applications

Corn starch doped with sodium iodate as solid polymer electrolytes for energy storage applications

The concern about environmental problems has inspired a of energy storage devices from natural sources. In this study, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) films made from corn starch doped with different compositions of sodium iodate (NaIO3) were prepared via the solution casting technique. The effect of dopants on the structure, morphology and electrical properties of SPE films was analysed using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. From the XRD, it shows that the amorphous state would influence the conductivity values of SPE films. Then, the SEM observations revealed that the films seem to be rough, porous and having branch structure, which may affect the conductivity of SPE films. The maximum conductivity of SPE film is obtained from 3 wt.% of NaIO3 with a value of 1.08 × 10−4 Scm−1 at room temperature (303K). From the results, this SPE is proposed to have a great potential in future energy storage applications

CONCEPT AND APPLICATION OF IJARAH, WAKALAH AND JI’ALAH CONTRACT IN THE PUBLIC DONATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) IN MALAYSIA

One of the purposes of the establishment of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is to help the needy people to get a better life. They help them by doing fundraising to the public. As they get the public donation, they are also allowed to take the commission from the donation according to the Islamic contracts that have been existed in Islam. The purpose of this study is to analyse the types of contract that have been applied by the NGOs in collecting public donation. The methodology used in this research is qualitative method by using document analysis and interview. The informants involved are from the six selected NGOs which have been registered under Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) or Registry of Societies Malaysia (ROS). These NGOs are chosen due to their enthusiasm, activeness and success in implementing the public donation other than based on their expertise relating to the donation collection of the organization. Besides, they cooperated very well from the beginning of the research until the end. The data obtained is analysed using content analysis. The finding shows that Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM), Aman Palestin, Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM), Cinta Syria Malaysia (CSM) and Muslim Volunteer Malaysia (MVM) apply the contract of ijarah, wakalah and ji’alah which comply with the law of Sharia. Yet, Serantau Muslim does not apply any contracts as they do not take any commission from the public donation. Further research needs to be done to identify the similarity of the contract applied by the other NGOs

Kajian literatur : dialog agama perkongsian aktiviti dalam kalangan masyarakat awam di Malaysia / Azarudin Awang and Khadijah Mohd Khambali@Hambali

Dialog merupakan satu bentuk perbincangan atau wacana secara ilmiah bagi mencari titik pertemuan kerana wujudnya perbezaan agama dan keyakinan. Dalam konteks hubungan antara agama dan budaya, dialog bertujuan mengikis konflik antara agama dengan memupuk kefahaman dan kasih sayang antara sesama manusia yang berbeza agama. Justeru, dialog agama ialah satu disiplin untuk mempelajari, memahami, berkongsi pandangan mengenai perbezaan yang wujud dalam kehidupan yang pelbagai budaya dan agama. Dialog agama dalam lingkungan masyarakat awam merupakan satu pendekatan untuk merapatkan hubungan antara masyarakat yang berbeza agama dan budaya dari akar umbi melalui penglibatan aktiviti seharian secara tidak formal. Kebanyakan sarjana memberi tumpuan disiplin dialog sebagai wasilah keharmonian hubungan inter-agama khususnya antara Islam dan Kristian. Kalangan sarjana tempatan mengupas aspek dialog dalam kerangka Islam dan bentuk-bentuk dialog yang merangkumi hubungan yang berlaku dalam kalangan masyarakat awam. Metodologi yang digunakan dalam kertas kerja ini ialah kajian tinjauan terhadap penulisan yang lepas yang membicarakan tentang dialog agama sebagai subjek kajian. Kajian tinjauan ini sangat penting kerana ia merupakan input awal terhadap kajian yang berikutnya

Resistance status of Aedes aegypti towards different insecticides in selected dengue outbreak area in Petaling district (Diptera: Culicinae)

Four field strains of Aedes aegypti from dengue outbreak areas in Petaling, Selangor were evaluated using two groups of insecticide; pyrethroid class II (deltamethrin) and organophosphate (malathion and pirimiphos-methyl). This study was conducted according to the WHO adult mosquito bioassay procedure (WHO/ZIKV/VC/16.1). Results of two-way ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference resistant levels in type of insecticides used against different localities which were TUDM, Brunsfield, Gugusan Semarak and Apartment Sri Indah (F=57.985, df 6, 48, p0.05). Resistance ratio for all the Ae. aegypti from localities selected ranged from 20 fold to 128 fold (moderate resistance and highly resistance categories). Results of this research showed that resistance presence in mosquito populations in the selected dengue outbreak areas in Petaling and that it could the reason controlling dengue is ineffective. We suggest to rotate insecticides with different mode of action and safer insecticides other than pyrethroids plus public awareness to eliminate the mosquitoes breeding places

LANGUAGE AND POLITICS: CONOTATIVE MEANING ANALYSIS OF “SYAIR PELEMBAGAAN NEGERI BRUNEI” FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTIC OF MUDA OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN

The creativity of a writer in a literary work mainly involves aspects of language and it is also a platform to widen its political matters. In Brunei Darussalam, Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei (SPNB) (the Brunei State Constitution Syair) by Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien (MOAS) is one of the greatest literary works in the history of the 1959 Constitution. Distinctly, the language used in the couplet poems of SPNB was displayed gracefully with a meaning which the writer intended to convey. Hence, this study aims to explore the semantic aspects of interpreting the meaning of the word that implies both explicit and implicit meanings (connotative). Through literature and analysis methods, this study is also refering to an informant in order to explain the basic meaning of the word. Besides, Teori Segi Tiga Makna Semiotik Charles Sanders Pierce (1931–58) was applied in interpreting implicit meanings. The observed word was derived after identifying six prominent characteristics of leaders and political leadership of MOAS. Those characteristics were selected based on the elaboration by Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan (2013). The study found six political leadership characteristics of MOAS. The characteristics are concern for people’s welfare, prioritization of religious affairs, just and wise, emphasis on knowledge, emphasis on prosperity and security and visionary.  In the meantime, at least one conotated word was applied in couplet poetry of SPNB. However, in analyzing the characteristic of a leader who prioritised the religious affairs, it was found that MOAS did not exert a word with explicit meaning. MOAS did also specify the meaning of a conotated word under the category of a just and wise leader. The analysis of the meaning of the word had reflected that MOAS had more than six characteristics that had been discussed as his legacy to stabilise the country, so that the welfare of its people will always be preserved

Inter-religious dialogue activity: an experience among undergraduate students in selected universities in Malaysia

The study is aimed at exploring a few inter-religious dialogue activities among undergraduate students in the Department of Aqidah and Islamic Thought, the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya (JAPI, UM); the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, (UiTM);the Department of Usuluddin and Philosophy, National University of Malaysia (JUF, UKM) and the Center for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language, University Malaysia of Sabah (UMS).There are many courses related to religious studies that are taught at these four universities. The lived-experiences of the participants were explored through inter-religious dialogue activities. A purposive sample of various students from the four universities mentioned above participated in this dialogue activity. The data were analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological approach, inductively in order to characterize the received data into respective themes. Hence, the results demonstrated that the lived-experience of the dialogue activities in inter-religious dialogue was characterized by the following: (1) the role of the environment, (2) the value of individual relationships through sharing and storytelling and (3) the experience and relationships among other ethnicities as well as family child-rearing practices. Thus, this study provides information concerning the various dialogue activities of inter-religious dialogue models and designs in universities in Malaysia and proposes that different models and designs of interreligious dialogue rely on different types and goals. This study also recommends the significance of creating environments to foster inter-religious dialogue, expanding the formats of interfaith dialogue and increasing religious study through education and training