Islamic revivalism, religious freedom and the non-Muslims in Malaysia: a preliminary discussion

The non-Muslims' responses towards the Islamization policy of the government and Islamic revivalism in Malaysia and their major organisation aims regarding non-Muslims affairs have many things in common. From the questionnaires and interviews, it is possible to summarise the responses of the non-Muslims in Malaysia. Although the Malaysian constitution guarantees the non-Muslims religious freedom and rights, what matters are the actual practices of the Malaysian government and civil servants in implementing the constitutional provisions. The non-Muslims are not convinced about their constitutional rights. Generally, their fear are based on the lack of a clear and open discussion. The non-Muslims sense of insecurity will be increased as long as their rights are denied or neglected. Attempts to Islamize Malaysia will further intensify the non-Muslim's feeling of disadvantage and they will react to fight for their rights

Towards holictic concept of leadership in Islam for sustainable development community

Leadership has been connected with power, strategic planning, administration and management, controls, communication, influence, monitoring and evaluation. Identifying an effective leader is not an easy job. With regards to Islam, the concept of leadership is discussed extensively vis a vis within the purpose of the creation of man and his role as the vicegerent of Allah. The basis of Islamic political philosophy is the belief in the unity (tawhid) and sovereignty of Allah. It is only Allah who has the right to absolute loyalty. Loyalty to a leader, chief, nation or a monarch must be subordinated to this dominant factor. It is possible to be loyal to a leader and to Allah at the same time provided that loyalty to the former does not cause the abandon of Islamic teachings. Sustainable development needs a good leadership in order to achieve its goals effectively. Yet, there are other requirements; any decision must be made through agreement as a result of muzakarah (two way discussion) among committees in the organisation [Surah al-Shura (42): 38]. Consensus of opinion, understanding and unity of opinion (wahdat al-fikr) must be constructed in problem solving and issues. The decision which would be made should be based on what shura comes out with

Islamic Tourism: The Characteristics, Concept and Principles

The Islamic economic sector has grown rapidly in Malaysia and Islamic businesses can be found in a wide range of sectors including culinary, Islamic finance, Islamic takaful (insurance and mortgage) industries, fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, entertainment, and tourism industries. Islamic tourism, in particular, offers a new means of developing the tourism industry in Malaysia whilst maintaining the ethics, culture and values of Islam. Islamic tourism is not defined as a visit to the mosque alone, but the visit is closely related to nature, culture, or creativity that integrates with Islamic values. Currently, the concept of adherence to Islam (which has been called as Shariah-compliant) has gained traction across the globe. In response to this new lifestyle trend, many countries (including those such as Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, and New Zealand which do not have a domestic Muslim majority) are beginning to introduce tourism products related to the halal concept or Islamic orientation. The definition of Islamic tourism is still unclear and encompasses various terms such as Halal Tourism, Halal Friendly Travel Destinations, Halal Travel, Islamic Travel Destinations, and Halal Lifestyle. Even in Malaysia, a leader in this sector, the concept of Islamic tourism is still liminal. However it offers huge potential, both for the country’s tourism sector and the country’s Islamic population, contributing to the preservation and appreciation of Islamic culture in Malaysia. Islamic tourism is not only related to religious values ​​but also must be in line with every way of life that is not contrary to Islam. Not many companies and agencies organize halal tourism packages because they think it is not a necessity and a profit. Many companies are more focused on routine Islamic tourism such as Umrah and Hajj. This paper considers in detail the characteristics, concept and principles of Islamic tourism

Kassim Ahmad dan pemikiran anti hadis

Sudah ramai yang mengkaji mengenai Kassim Ahmad, akan tetapi setakat yang diketahui tiada yang mengkaji pemikirannya menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kualitatif. Kami telah mencuba mengkaji pemikiran Kassim Ahmad dan pemikiran anti hadisnya melalui kaedah penyelidikan kualitatif. Alhamdulillah kajian ini dapat diselesaikan sebelum kematiannya. Kassim Ahmad telah dikenal pasti sebagai individu yang mempertikaikan hadis. Pertuduhan anti hadis terhadap beliau telah dibuat sejak tahun 1986 oleh Jabatan Mufti di negeri-negeri melalui beberapa fatwa yang telah diwartakan oleh negeri-negeri seperti Pulau Pinang, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan, Sabah dan Pahang. Berasaskan kepada penulisan dan ucapan beliau, adalah satu perkara yang penting untuk diteroka tentang pemikiran beliau mengenai Islam terutamanya pandangan beliau terhadap hadis. Berdasarkan hakikat tersebut, kajian tentang pemikiran Kassim Ahmad sebagai individu yang menolak hadis perlu dijalankan bagi meneroka asas pandangan beliau, kaedah yang digunakan bagi menafsir alQuran, hujah yang digunakan bagi menolak hadis dan pandangan beliau berhubung dengan perkara-perkara ghaibiyyat. Kami adalah satu-satunya pengkaji yang berjaya menebual beliau sebelum beliau meninggal dunia

Kefahaman masyarakat Islam terhadap kewangan dan perbankan Islam di Malaysia melalui pengalaman penubuhan bank Islam

Kefahaman kewangan Islam dibuktikan melalui peningkatan ilmu pengetahuan masyarakat Islam dalam aspek ekonomi. Peningkatan kesedaran umat Islam terhadap pengetahuan kewangan Islam telah mendorong masyarakat Islam mempelajari fiqh Muamalat. Oleh itu, kefahaman terhadap kewangan Islam adalah manisfestasi pengetahuan mereka terhadap ilmu Muamalat yang pelajari sama ada secara formal atau tidak formal. Oleh itu, kajian ini membuktikan bahawa pendidikan Islam yang menekankan pengharaman riba menjadi asas pelaksanaan kewangan Islam di Malaysia. Kajian merumuskan tiga tahap kefahaman masyarakat Islam di Malaysia terhadap pelaksanaan sistem kewangan dan perbankan Islam berdasarkan sejarah penubuhan bank Islam. Kajian juga merumuskan bahawa pengalaman pelaksanaan sistem kewangan dan perbankan Islam mampu memperkasakan pengetahuan umat Islam terhadap sistem kewangan dan perbankan Islam

Komunikasi dan kekeluargaan: satu perspektif Islam

Artikel ini adalah satu kertas konsep mengenai kekeluargaan dan komunikasi dari perspektif Islam. Jack G. McAuley (1979) dalam bukunya, People to People: Essentials of Personal and Public Communication telah melahirkan kebimbangan terhadap suatu fenomena dalam aspek komunikasi. Menurutnya, kemajuan komunikasi tidak banyak membantu dalam menyelesaikan masalah komunikasi yang paling asas. Alat-alat canggih komunikasi membantu menghantar dan menerima mesej; ia tidak membantu memahami mesej itu. Beliau kemudiannya menyimpulkan bahawa masalah komunikasi yang paling genting bukanlah masalah mekanikal, ia adalah manusia sendiri. Kepincangan komunikasi dan kurangnya keberkesanan di dalam berkomunikasi antara ahli-ahli dalam sesebuah keluarga adalah antara faktor berlakunya krisis dalam sesebuah rumahtangga. Makalah ini bertujuan mengutarakan suatu perspektif Islam tentang komunikasi dan kekeluargaan. Islam amat menitikberatkan komunikasi di dalam sistem kekeluargaannya. Komunikasi haruslah secara hikmah (kebijaksanaan) yang merangkumi tatacara dan ketentuan syarak, keikhlasan, diplomasi, pendekatan psikologi dan adil. Perbincangan juga berkisar soal bagaimana mewujudkan komunikasi keluarga seterusnya meningkatkan interaksi, persefahaman dan jalinan kasih sayang antara komponen kekeluargaan. Dalam konteks Dasar Keluarga Negara, makalah ini menyumbang kepada pengisian dasar tersebut dalam mewujudkan keluarga yang bahagia dan sejahtera

Religion and spirituality in coping with advanced breast cancer: perspectives from Malaysian Muslim women

This article is part of a larger study on the role of spirituality in coping with breast cancer among Malaysian Muslim women. The study seeks to reveal the meaning of the experience through the stories of three Muslim women surviving advanced breast cancer, to better understand the deep meanings that inform their experiences with spirituality and transformation as they cope with the challenges of breast cancer. Data were gathered using in-depth interview. Qualitative methods were used in identifying two themes—illness as an awakening and hope and freedom comes from surrendering to God. The themes were discussed in the context of two broad areas: (1) what are the new meanings these women discovered in their experiences with cancer; and (2) how did the new meanings change their lives? The study suggests that cancer survivors’ experiences with cancer and their learning processes must be understood within the appropriate cultural context. This is especially so for spirituality. The common emphasis of spirituality on relationship with God, self and others, may significantly influence how people learn to live with cancer

Knowledge, Acceptance and Application of Islamic Financial Management among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Halal Entrepreneurs in Peninsular of Malaysia

The Halal industry in Malaysia has created employment opportunities especially among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). High demand for Halal products especially from Islamic countries has transformed the development of this sector into a national priority. In the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP), the competitiveness of the Halal industry was given special emphasis by the Prime Minister. In Asia, Malaysia has long been considered as a leader in the development of the Halal sector.  However, the Halal industry is not only about Halal food production, but also covers Islamic finance services which prohibit interest (riba), uncertainties (gharar) and gambling (maysir). Islamic financial management is one of the important parts of Islamic finance because it plays a big role in providing Shariah-compliant funds and investment opportunities especially for the SME Halal entrepreneur. The holistic approach to the Halal industry should also cover not only food production but also Islamic financial management which includes activities such as how to create, increase, purify and to protect wealth from an Islamic perspective. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between the knowledge and acceptance of Islamic finance, and the application of Islamic financial management among halal entrepreneurs in Peninsular Malaysia. The findings of this study reveal that the knowledge and acceptance of Islamic finance is significantly correlated with the application of Islamic financial management among halal operators of SMEs. This indicates that to integrate the Halal industry with Islamic financial management activities, Halal entrepreneurs should be able to know and accept the Islamic finance principles. This will, in turn, facilitate the promotion of Malaysia’s Halal industries on the global stage. Keywords: Halal Industry, SMEs Halal entrepreneur, Islamic Financial Managemen

Status halal of cosmestic poducts: an analysis of alcohol usage for selected skin toner products in Malaysia

Alcohol is an organic solvent that is generally used in research and industry especially in food and beverage products. It is also widely used in cosmetic industries to produce cosmetic lines such as perfume, skin toner, and personal care products. However, the status of alcohol usage in skin toner from Syariah and scientific point of views are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to know the status of alcohol usage in skin toner products. This study regards the use of alcohol in cosmetic products and halal status of alcohol in branded cosmetic products in Malaysia. It also acknowledges the types of alcohol compound and the function of its safety to the consumer. The methodology of the study uses laboratory research to analyse data and obtain more regular and complete information. This study also uses a high-tech systematic tool, namely GC-MS. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is utilised to identify alcohol substance in the cosmetic products. Results showed that ten alcohol compounds were identified in the sample facial skin toner products. These alcohols were 1,3-butanediol, 2- phenoxy ethanol, 1,2-pentanediol, octanol, ethanol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, propanol, benzene methanol, and citronellol. These alcohols are used as cleaning agents and solvents in cosmetic products and are suitable to be applied to the skin. Among these ten alcohol compounds, three compounds were found with the highest percentages which were 2-phenoxy ethanol (92.75% ± 0.72%), benzyl alcohol (33.95% ± 7.12%) and 1,2-pentanediol (15.29% ± 6.59%). The results of this study demonstrate that the alcohol in cosmetics is produced by the scientific process and chemical reaction. The GC-MS device is considered to be the synthesis process. The results of the observations and interviews of the part researchers with science officials state that the alcohol compounds found in this study indicates the properties of this alcohol as a cleaning agent, a solvent on the outside only and safe for use. Furthermore, this study proves that the use of alcohol in skin toner products is permissible in Islam if the alcohol is derived from plants, fruits, and grains. In other word, the status of alcohol usage in skin toner products is permissible according to Syariah