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In academia, dictionaries have become a daily commodity beyond the common yet relevant uses of spelling and meaning checks. Relying on data collected from 107 EFL learners through an opinion poll in the Saudi context, this paper investigated how such learners utilize dictionaries in their English program during their university studies. Findings showed that learners use electronic and paper-based dictionaries for limited purposes beyond the spelling and meaning check. Besides surveying the dictionary type (online and paper-based), the study argues for some uses on a broader approach rather than spelling words and their meanings. It construed dictionaries as special tutors that help second language learners develop a multitude of skills, including spelling, vocabulary, grammatical usage, pronunciation, and semantic features of the target language, e.g., synonyms, antonyms, polysemy, collocations, and the like. The study theorizes the dictionary not as an add-on but as an essential language learning source of English language programs tailored to dictionary-based tasks across the curriculum to respond to sustainable language education.

The Scientific paper is a required subject for final year Muamalat Diploma students at UiTMCTKD in semester 5. The Wheel of Fortune Interactive PnP Innovation Project (PWoFKi) method is used to assess students' comprehension of input for writing a scientific paper or research paper that was given in the form of a lecture during a scientific paper writing workshop held prior to students registering for this subject. This strategy was developed to encourage students to be more enthusiastic about comprehending all of the critical procedures involved in producing scientific articles without becoming bored, stiff, or passive in response to the feedback provided. The employment of (PWoFKi), which employs an intriguing gaming method, can be studied as a teaching and learning mechanism (PnP) in promoting learning delight. As a result, the goal of this study is to assess students' understanding of the appropriateness of using PWoFKi in the PnP process for the subject of Scientific Papers (IMU304), as well as to pique students' interest in the subject of Scientific Papers (IMU304), in order to improve the learning and teaching environment. A questionnaire was provided to 57 participants in a pilot research. To assess students' perceptions of implementation, data was analysed using SPSS 24 and compared to the mean score (PWoFKi). The results show that the mean score is 4.26 on a 5-point scale. This suggests that the innovation of usage (PWoFKi) in PnP topic IMU 304 can solve the problem of boredom while also making students have fun and improving their knowledge of the learning delivered. One of the games that may be used to interact and communicate for learning goals is the PWoFKi technique. The study's findings indicate that the PWoFKi method is a novel strategy in the IMU304 PnP process that can be used by any students pursuing Diploma, Degree, Masters, or Doctorate degrees in any public or private higher education institution.

One of the main aims of the Sharīʿah (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) is the protection of human life (hifz al-nafs). Advances in medical science have similar aims and have created technology to assist infertile couples to overcome their infertility. One of the technologies developed to further simplify this process is the ability to freeze excess embryos to be stored for long periods of time through cryopreservation. This technology allows infertile couples to use these embryos when they opt for treatment not only once but multiple times. Despite its benefits, the cryopreservation of embryos could bring about several legal issues. This study focuses on the legal status of cryopreserved embryos in two situations. The first is in the event of divorce between the parties and the second is in the event of death of one or both of the parties. The main concern in these two situations is does the couple have full authority to decide what happens to their embryos, even to the extent of allowing them to perish? Are cryopreserved embryos protected under the Sharīʿah? This paper analyzes the sanctity of human embryos within the Sharīʿah and legal frameworks in selected Muslim countries, with particular emphasis on issues of right to life and their potential legal repercussions on human society. In applying a comparative approach, this paper aims to shed light on the ethico-legal complexities surrounding cryopreserved human embryos under the Sharīʿah.

Purpose - The language load within mathematics test items can lead to inaccuracy in assessing Orang Asli pupils’ mathematical ability due to their struggle in comprehending the academic language. This study aims to determine the validity of using test accommodations in the form of oral academic language and oral native language when administering mathematics computation and word problem test items among the Orang Asli pupils. Methodology - By employing a quantitative approach, this study utilised random equivalent group design to examine the validity of using oral test accommodations among 334 Grade Four Orang Asli pupils. Three testlets were constructed and used in this study: written test in the academic language (WAL), oral test in the academic language (OAL), and oral test in the native language (ONL). The three testlets comprised Paper 1 and Paper 2, each consisting of 20 mathematics computation and 20-word problem test items, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to analyse and examine if there were differences in the mathematics performance between the three groups of tests administered to the Orang Asli pupils. Findings - The results indicated that the test scores of the pupils on the oral tests were higher compared to the written test administered to the pupils for both mathematics computation and word problem items. For computation items, the pupils performed better in the OAL testlet, followed by the ONL testlet. On the other hand, the pupils obtained the highest test scores in the ONL testlet compared to the OAL testlet for word problem items. Furthermore, the results illustrate that there is a difference in the mathematics performance of the Orang Asli pupils between the oral tests in both languages and written tests in the academic language. Significant - This study clearly shows that language plays a prominent role in affecting the Orang Asli pupils’ mathematics performance. By utilising the oral test as a promising test accommodation, this measure could help address the language barrier faced by the Orang Asli pupils in mathematics testing.

Maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah is acknowledged as one of essential foundations in determining shariah rulings. However, some contemporary fatwās continue to be issued that disregard maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, while some groups have also misunderstood it leading to misapplication. This paper will analyze the methodology employed by classical Islamic scholars in establishing the concept and principles of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. The analysis will compare the methods of determining maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah by Muslim scholars with current scientific research methods. This study utilizes the qualitative methodology by examining classical and modern scholarly writings. The collected data is analyzed thematically based on an inductive approach. Findings of this study demonstrate that formulating maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah concept and principles involves analyzing textual injunctions. The istiqrā’ inductive reasoning applied by Muslim scholars bears similarities with thematic analysis in modern qualitative research. Hence, maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah represents the implicit objectives unifying diverse shariah rules. It holds greater epistemic certainty compared to individual scriptural proofs, being supported by multiple textual evidences across various domains of rulings. As the mafhūm(implicit meaning) of the Sharī‘ah corpus, maqāṣid guides ijtihād without compromising fundamental sharī‘ah tenets. Proper application of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah facilitates determining contemporary rulings that fulfill the objectives of sharī‘ah itself. This paper advocates grounding ijtihād and fatwās in maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah through holistic textual analysis. This enables addressing new challenges through appropriate sharī‘ah rulings while avoiding rigid legalism or unfettered rationalism.

This paper aims to evaluate the peculiarities of a mechanism utilised by the Indonesian government to conduct infrastructure development, that is, the government’s assignment of contracts to state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This mechanism differs from public procurement or public-private partnership. This paper raises three questions: (1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of employing government assignment of contracts to SOEs? (2) What should be done to prevent the disadvantages? and (3) What lessons can be learned by other countries from the Indonesian experience? This paper employs qualitative legal research. It starts by analysing public satisfaction and dissatisfaction as reflected in the news, literature and interviews. The legal causes of dissatisfaction which are basically the problematic regulations, are then analysed. Finally, the legal principles and legal concepts enshrined within the regulations are examined to seek legal solutions. The advantages of the government’s assignment of contracts to SOEs are to simplify the tender process and to enable the government to quickly provide infrastructure. Nonetheless, the private sector feels aggrieved because the regulations that dictate when a project may be contracted to an SOE are unclear, and public funding is predominantly circulated among the SOE groups. To address these problems, the government should adhere to the globally recognised principles of equality and accountability and the concepts of competitive neutrality and the right to development. The bittersweet Indonesian experiences maybe not only the refinement of the Indonesian law and policy, but also their use as food for thought for any country considering infrastructure development.

The laws in Malaysia uphold the rights of children to participate in family law proceedings, particularly in custody disputes. However, with regard to the practice of mediation (sulh) in child custody disputes, the specific legislation that highlights measures to obtain the views of children is still vague. This paper will discuss the practice of children’s participation during mediation (sulh) in child custody disputes. The study reported in this paper has also highlighted the challenges and the adequacy of legal provisions on the practice of children’s participation during mediation (sulh). The present qualitative study has adopted a library-based research method to collect information, data, and theories from selected materials, including journal articles, textbooks, statutes, and interview methods. It also discussed how children were engaged in court-directed mediation proceedings in the Syariah Court of Malaysia. It has also examined the practice of the Syariah court in accepting the voice of children in mediation regarding decision-making in child custody dispute cases. The examination focused on the relevant legislations and policies relating to children participating in mediation in the context of international legal provisions and Syariah laws. The paper further discussed the analysis of whether the rules and procedures in Malaysia are adequate to sustain children’s participation during mediation. The data were also gathered from interviews conducted with mediators or sulh officers. Finally, the study revealed that interviewing children during sulh sessions at the Syariah Court is common even though there are no clear regulations on the practice. It is suggested that a broader interpretation of the current legislation on the voice of children enables the legality of the practice of accepting children’s voices during the Majlis Sulh. Furthermore, it is recommended that a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) for obtaining children’s views during the mediation (sulh) process is also needed.

This paper discusses the theoretical influence of key audit matter and audit quality. This paper discusses a literature study method approach to explore the possible impact of key audit matters (KAMs) and audit quality. In particular, the authors believe implementing key audit matters can largely affect audit risk, going concern evaluation and audit response procedures, which in the end can influence on audit quality. Implementation of key audit matters in Indonesia began in 2022, audit firms are strongly advised to prepare better audit working papers and mitigate audit risks. This can help them consider matters that require the auditor's significant attention, which in turn is hoped can increase the flexibility and effectiveness of communication between auditees and auditors. In addition, the author recommends that regulators or audit oversight boards require the application of boards to apply key audit matters to all audit work, not just mandatory for listed companies. It is hoped that this rule will help audit companies work more carefully in dealing with audit risks, which appear to be positively related to audit quality. As far as the author knows, limited educational study has explored the possible influence of key audit matters (KAMs) on audit quality in Indonesia. Therefore, this paper reduces the research gap in the audit literature. On the other hand, this paper can be used as a foundation for developing research instruments (e.g., questionnaires, interviews, or content analysis) to grant empirical evidence.

The current global Muslim community is facing new challenges amidst the remnants of historical colonisation, sectarianism, and current geopolitical, economic and social realities. Despite these challenges, Muslim communities in general have been consistent in preserving the religious precepts derived from the primary sources of Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah, which form the foundation of the Islamic identity. Although widely underemphasised, futures thinking is deeply ingrained in the precepts of Islamic thought since the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which unbeknownst to many, has indubitably shaped the transformation not only in Muslim communities, but has also influenced global shifts in civilisation from multifarious aspects, for example, science and technology, arts, governance and social justice. This paper seeks to illustrate the significance of Islamic futures thinking as a foundation for progress in Muslim communities, by applying the qualitative methods of content analysis and engagements in focus group discussions. To this end, the study analyses data obtained from the exploration of Islamic texts, traditions and literatures on the Islamic perspectives of futures thinking. This paper advances the proposition that futures thinking has a profound basis in Islam due to the universal nature of the Islamic concepts of knowledge, the methods of addressing gradual and imminent change, its constant inspirations towards excellence and a justly balanced society, as well as Islamic ethics in foresight. Findings of this study highlight the importance of futures thinking as a capacity that must be developed in the Muslim world as part of the process towards long term social transformation.

Aut dedere (extradition) is an erga omnes obligation towards the international community aimed at closing the gate of safe haven so that the international criminal will face the consequence of his heinous act directed at the international community from the requesting state. The term aut dedere has not been used in conventions or treaties until the eighteenth century. This paper examines the necessity of integrating the doctrine of 'aut dedere' (extradition) into International Aviation Conventions to combat civil aviation offenses and seeks to explore its treatment under Islamic law, and the potential for punishment for refusal to extradite offenders. Through doctrinal legal research, the paper reveals that while aut dedere is obligatory under conventional law, it lacks enforceability without associated punishments. Conversely, extradition under Islamic law is deemed mandatory due to its universal nature. The paper underscores the relevance of Islamic jurisprudence in modern international legal frameworks and recommends amendments to International Civil Aviation Organization conventions to enforce extradition provisions and recognize civil aviation crimes as international offences, consistent with Islamic legal principles.

Parliamentary questions are one of the most widely used and common parliamentary control instruments. The purpose of parliamentary questions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to hold the government accountable and reveal violations or clarify facts in the work of the executive authority. The Federal Constitution does not provide means of parliamentary control over the government, so parliamentary questions play a bigger role in the UAE than in other countries. This paper examines the practice of parliamentary questions in the Federal National Council (FNC) of the UAE. The methodology employed in this paper involves a comprehensive analysis of the practice of parliamentary questions within the context of the UAE's Federal National Council (FNC). Through a qualitative approach, the study delves into the role of parliamentary questions as a tool for governmental reforms, transparency enhancement, and executive authority accountability. Utilizing both primary and secondary sources, the research examines the impact of parliamentary questions in revealing violations, elucidating facts, and addressing citizens' everyday concerns. By employing a multifaceted analytical framework, this study offers valuable insights into the significance and effectiveness of parliamentary questions within the UAE's political landscape. The key findings in the paper on the practice of parliamentary questions in the UAE's FNC underscore the essential role of parliamentary questions in holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency. The document reveals how parliamentary questions serve as a vital tool for revealing violations, clarifying facts, and prompting governmental reforms. Overall, this paper highlights how parliamentary questions are a vital component of governance in the UAE and emphasizes their importance for ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.

In-service teacher training programs offer opportunities for teachers in both public and private schools to enhance their professional skills, particularly in the areas of required teaching skills, supplementary subject content knowledge, and teaching pedagogy. The lack of availability of in-service teacher training programs for teachers within the education system has undesirable consequences, particularly regarding the delivery of quality education to learners in public and private schools in the Zambezi region, Namibia. This paper discusses the perspectives of Agricultural science teachers on the need for in-service teacher training. To achieve the objectives of this paper, crucial data were collected from Agricultural science teachers in the Zambezi region through face-to-face interviews. Twelve Agricultural science teachers (comprising six from urban schools and six from semi-urban schools) were interviewed using face-to-face interview guides. The study revealed that the in-service teacher training programs attended by Agricultural science teachers were relevant to their teaching roles. Furthermore, the study emphasized that to maintain the relevance of in-service teacher training programs, components such as practical activities, projects, investigations, and subject content knowledge should be the focus, in order to continually enhance the capacities of Agricultural science teachers. The study recommends that the regional education directorate in the Zambezi region establish a policy for continuous in-service teacher training programs, including them in their annual financial plan, to improve teacher performance in the region. Lastly, to ensure the success of in-service teacher training programs, they should be conducted on an ongoing basis.

In criminal litigation, evidence plays a very significant role in ensuring that justice is delivered. Nevertheless, justice cannot be achieved without the correct application of standard of proof. Failure to apply the correct standard of proof could result in miscarriage of justice. This paper examines the concept of standard of proof from the Islamic and common law perspectives. It also analyses the similarities and differences in the application of standard of proof under both legal systems. This study is a doctrinal research and utilises qualitative methods. The primary and secondary data are gathered using the documentation method obtained from library, legal statutes and reported cases. The gathered data are then further analysed using content analysis method. Findings of this study show that there are similarities and differences in the concept of standard of proof in criminal cases under both legal systems. In spite of the similarities, several applications under the common law should not be referred or utilised in litigating Syariah criminal cases. This paper suggests that the standard of proof under Islamic law is to be harmonised with the common law in the prosecution of criminal cases in the Syariah courts. The research conducted contributes towards the knowledge in distinguishing between the Islamic and common law principles particularly for countries that practise Islamic criminal law.

This paper examines the implications of the General Assembly's failure to adopt a resolution on the International Law Commission's Draft Conclusions on Peremptory Norms (“Draft Conclusions”) during its seventy-seventh session. While the non-decision does not affect the legal status of the Draft Conclusions, it raises questions about its reception and the underlying reasons for the lack of resolution adoption. The inclusion of an Annex with a non-exhaustive list, particularly addressing the right to self-determination, led to opposition from a subset of States. Despite the strong pedigree of the norms in the Annex, dissenting voices, primarily questioning the status of certain norms, played a pivotal role in the non-decision. This paper contends that the dissenters' success in preventing the adoption of a resolution could prompt the International Law Commission to exercise greater caution in its future work. The Commission may become more inclined to avoid addressing sensitive issues, potentially leading to a tendency to seek the lowest common denominator in its outputs. The analysis delves into the potential impact on the Commission's approach and the broader implications for the development and acceptance of peremptory norms of general international law.

The research interest in the field of green marketing and waste management can be demonstrated through the published literature on the topic. However, there is a paucity of extensive and systematic research focusing on the evolution of this discipline in terms of its citation work. The main objective of this study is to explore the status of scholarly works on green marketing and waste management through a bibliometric citation and networking analysis of papers published from 2012 to 2021. The data was extracted from the Web of Science (WOS) utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysed (PRISMA) review process. The VOSviewer software was used to visualize the networking linkages. The findings of descriptive analysis showed that publications and citations related to green marketing and waste management are highest in 2021. Likewise, the networking analysis showed that the Science of the Total Environment journal has the highest citation counts, while Wan Yinfeng, Wang Junshi, Xu Guoping and Yi Huang are the authors with the highest citation counts, respectively. The findings also uncovered Sinosteel Wuhan Safety & Environmental Protection Research Institute (WSEPRI) as the most cited institution. Co-authorship and co-occurrence analysis were also found to provide significant discoveries. This study offers future scholars’ knowledge on the analysis of cited journals, papers, authors, institutions, and countries in the same field. Overall, the study serves as a guide for journal editorial boards on the growth among authors and networking opportunities in the field of green marketing and waste management, especially at the international level.

The present paper discusses an age-old craft practised in India named Pattu weaving. This weaving technique is based on the extra weft weave design. Along with the ground warp and weft, few extra bright colored yarns are used in this technique to weave beautiful motifs on the fabric during the weaving process. The craft follows the sustainable way of fabric manufacturing as the fabrics are made on the handloom and follow the traditional ways for pre-weaving process also. The craft becomes more relevant in the present scenario considering the fact that for the last few decades unsustainable practices have increased drastically due to the imbalance of demand and supply, scarcity of natural resources, advent of unsustainable technologies among the other factors. While traditionally, sustainable practices were an integral part of the lifestyle of human beings and balanced the eco-system of the earth. One of the ways for balancing the natural energy consumption is utilization of all natural resources wisely by reinventing traditional craft practices. Hence, the present study focuses on the materials, tools, techniques and processes used in the Pattu weaving craft. PASTLE analysis of the craft has also been done to understand the opportunity and challenges of the craft. Along with this, a comparative analysis of the traditional and contemporary raw materials, techniques, motifs, colour range and application of the craft have also been covered in this paper. For this study, the primary research is based on the information that was collected during Craft Research Documentation activity funded by the Ministry of Textiles, India. Data from Secondary research has also been added to strengthen the analysis.

Purpose – There is an absence of systematic review papers in the achievement motivation theories literature. In terms of current research trends, English learning motivation is gaining attention as a determiner of success in FLA. Hence, this review aims to trace the trends in the empirical studies on achievement motivation theories and tools, ranging from 1970 to 2022. Methodology – With a focus on theories, diversity of research participants, and practical ELT-related issues addressed by previous researchers, this paper applied the PRISMA Systematic Review Protocol to offer a comprehensive synthesis of 91 empirical studies on theories of achievement motivation. Findings – The majority of the published studies were from China and Iran. There was also a large number of studies conducted on tertiary-level learners. Structural equation modelling was found to be the most widely used analysis. In addition, technology-assisted learning is the current trend in achievement motivation research. Significance – This paper offers new insights into the existing achievement motivation literature and identifies the research gaps. This study recommends more studies on expectancy-value theory including in-depth qualitative studies involving culturally diverse populations and experimental research to develop more effective pedagogical approaches and expand the current understanding of achievement motivation.

This paper analyses the function of arbitration at Patani Muslim Religious Committee Council (PMRCC) and offers mediation mechanisms as an alternative way of solving the matrimonial disputes among the Muslims in the Malay-Muslims majority areas. Conceptually, dispute resolution is being recognized as an effective way in the field of adjudication in Islamic law. Although there have been attempts to implement dispute resolution mechanisms in the Muslim Religious Committee Councils (MRCCs), no attempt so far has been made to upgrade them. To a large extent, dispute resolution has been implemented gradually since the beginning of the establishment of the councils. This paper intends to investigate the current trend and the future direction for the implementation of dispute resolution in PMRCC by exploring the available alternatives to the continued pursuit of the process of dispute resolution in PMRCC while at the same time strengthening the existing structures. Finally, the author will provide some suggestions as to how dispute resolution in PMRCC might operate. The author will also highlight the strength and weaknesses of arbitration under Thai civil law with a view toward a better legal provision for arbitration.

Cash waqf is a form of contemporary waqf that has great potential in the modern world. In Indonesia, despite its potential of 180 trillion per year, cash waqf collection, management, and distribution are not optimal. Nonetheless, the infrastructure sector in Indonesia faces obstacles, particularly in terms of funding. The innovation of the CWLFRA (Cash Waqf Linked DINFRA) model is, therefore, a solution to these two issues, as the proposed model is the result of an integration between efforts to optimize cash waqf and infrastructure financing via the Infrastructure Investment Fund (DINFRA). In this CWL-FRA innovation, waqf funds will be allocated to the mauquf 'alaih from the profits of infrastructure investment funds, which will become a source of long-term usable assets. As a result, the purpose of this academic paper is to develop a model capable of bolstering the ecosystem of Islamic social financial institutions and maximizing the potential achievement of cash waqf in Indonesia as a means of implementing sustainable finance and an effective instrument in reviving national economy through infrastructure development. In addition, this study seeks to determine the viability of the potential for developing the productivity of cash waqf in an effort to increase the effectiveness of achieving cash waqf to support economic sustainability with infrastructure potential. Nine respondents representing academicians and expert practitioners from both the waqf and infrastructure sectors filled out questionnaires to collect data. According to the results of the Delphi test, all respondents believed that there was a relationship between the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) indicators, indicating that this model is implementable. Moreover, based on the level of agreement of respondents, this model has the potential to contribute positively to national economic recovery, become a sustainable source of social funds, optimize the potential of waqf in Indonesia, strengthen the ecosystem of waqf social finance institutions, and improve the quality of management and maintenance of Indonesia's infrastructure. These findings demonstrate that integrating financial waqf with existing public infrastructure could positively affect the sustainability of national economic development. The novel aspect of this paper is the proposed cash waqf management system, which can serve as a useful reference for policymakers and waqf institutions seeking to develop a more effective waqf concept in terms of collection, administration, and distribution. Consequently, this study aims to demonstrate the potential for cash waqf, which can be integrated with DINFRA's product through the innovation of the CWL-FRA model, to become an investment instrument and offer a diversity of options to the waqf community.

ABSTRACT Translated text (TT) is characteristically simpler than non-translated (NTT) authentic text in terms of its lexicon, syntax, and style. It is still not clear what causes this phenomenon, and scholars continue to debate the issue. The traditional lexical metrics that are implemented in the simplification literature are often criticised as unreliable and lacking cognitive grounding. Moreover, being predominantly product-oriented, they cannot tell us how (or why) simplification happens. This paper addresses this limitation in the literature and proposes a paradigm that uses complexity-based measures adopted from Phonology and Cognitive Psychology. Calculations are run on a corpus of 100 translated and non-translated article abstracts drawn from five academic disciplines. Statistical analyses reveal significant differences between TTs and NTTs. The paper discusses the implications of these results and concludes that a cognition-informed approach is a key to demystifying simplification. Keywords: linguistic complexity; simplification; phonological complexity; neighbourhood density, phonotactic probability

Islamic banking is witnessing a significant increase in worldwide demand for its products alongside the increased interest in Sharīʿah governance, which is an essential means of ensuring that the products and activities of Islamic banking institutions fully comply with Sharīʿah (Islamic law), meet customer needs, and increase their competitiveness in both local and international markets. The aim of this paper is to evaluate Sharīʿah governance practices in Saudi Arabian banks and also ‎examine the level of adherence to Sharīʿah governance principles, institutional ‎frameworks, regulatory standards, and procedures within Saudi banks. This paper ‎employs a descriptive analysis approach, while the data were collected through a ‎questionnaire survey from 95 members of Sharīʿah advisory boards, Sharīʿah groups, and Sharīʿah governance committees ‎in 11 banks operating in Saudi Arabia. A regression analysis was performed to estimate relationships between the level of compliance and commitment to Sharīʿah governance in Saudi banks as a dependent variable, and the implementation of Sharīʿah governance, its dimensions, and the availability of implementing procedures of Sharīʿah governance as independent variables. The findings confirm the existence of variations between banks at ‎the level of implementing Sharīʿah governance principles and standards. The dimensions ‎of Sharīʿah governance received varying levels of attention in the banks, with ‎organizational structure ranking first, followed by the dimensions of responsibility and ‎disclosure, and finally, control, auditing, and accountability. The study reveals ‎disparities in the implementation levels of Sharīʿah governance between banks with full-fledged Sharīʿah compliance and conventional banks that offer Islamic windows. ‎Additionally, the study indicates differences in the adequacy of implementing ‎procedures for Sharīʿahgovernance principles and standards in both types of Saudi banks, attributed ‎to variations in bank size, product type, and organizational structure. The results of ‎the regression analysis demonstrate that the ‎implementation of Sharīʿah governance dimensions and the availability of implementing ‎procedures have a statistically positive effect on the level of commitment to Islamic banking and Sharīʿah governance. The paper suggests a necessity for training personnel in Islamic ‎banking, activating the role of Sharīʿah compliance units, and developing the ‎Sharīʿah governance framework in Islamic banking operations in Saudi Arabia.

This paper attempts to illustrate the primacy of the Shari’a-compliant murabaha transaction as a means of inconvertibility loss recovery by Islamic political risk insurers. In practical terms, the risk most likely to occur in an underdeveloped Muslim country is the risk of the local currency becoming inconvertible because of a certain action or inaction by the authorities of the host country which is the destination of an export trade transaction, or a foreign direct investment covered under a political risk insurance policy. The political risk insurance (PRI) operator most concerned with the subject of this paper is the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. Where the PRI operator is established within the auspices of a lending agency which lends in local currency, and provided that the necessary legal arrangements are in place, the PRI’s local currency holdings could be passed on to the lending agency in the host country and the foreign currency equivalent thereof paid over to the PRI operator at its head office. In countries where a lender is not extending local currency financing and a speedy economic recovery is not expected, an attractive alternative for a PRI operator, as the authors argue, is the utilization of the local currency in murabaha transactions. PRI operators’ apprehension about the risk of inconvertibility finds expression in denial of the inconvertibility coverage altogether. Where this is not the case, a PRI operator may impose recovery ceilings, demand the expiry of extended waiting periods, as well as compliance with a variety of other conditions prior to recovery. This paper argues that such measures are self-defeating. A Shari’a-compliant PRI operator is necessarily established to provide coverage against commercial and non-commercial risks in poor Muslim countries. To deny or restrict inconvertibility risk coverage in such countries is unacceptable. Murabaha is a panacea for currency inconvertibility: it is the most popular form of Islamic financing in the world, it is easy to structure, and its profits are almost certainly rewarding. While the risk of non-payment of the price by overseas buyers of Muslim country exports is minimal, risks associated with murabahacould be further minimized by means of export credit insurance coverage by local export promotion agencies.

In light of the rapid urban and cultural renaissance in Dubai and the need to expropriate real estate owned by individuals, this paper discusses the protection of individual property in the Emirate of Dubai Real Estate Expropriation Law of 2022. It has sought to examine and investigate the process of expropriation of individual property under the Emirate of Dubai Expropriation Law No. (2) of 2022 and to show that the Dubai legislature has narrowed the concept of public benefit and defined the conditions and mechanism of expropriation, the body responsible for issuing expropriation decisions, and what procedures should be followed. This study is of great importance as it shows that property rights are protected under the UAE Federal Constitution of 1971 and the Emirate of Dubai Real Estate Expropriation Law of 2022. It contributes to illuminating the way for the expropriation committee to take the necessary measures that help determine the fair compensation that should be paid to the owner of the expropriated property. It has concluded that expropriation is one of the most dangerous interferences with property rights and this interference is restricted to exercise in the public benefit and exchange for fair compensation. Our findings, however, emphasise the need to set controls and standards for the concept of public benefit and introduce a right to appeal the expropriation committee's decision before the court. In this research, we adopt a mix of descriptive, analytical, and inductive approaches to thoroughly evaluate and link the legislative texts and judicial rulings.

This research examines the integration of digital economic models within pesantren (Islamic traditional educational institutions) in East Java, Indonesia, with a particular focus on institutions such as Sidogiri, Al-Yasini, and Sintesa. The research examines how these pesantren reconcile digital progress with Maqāsid Shariah principles, balancing the modernization of economic and educational practices with the preservation of Islamic values. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus group discussions, are used to capture the transformative journey of these pesantren toward a digital economy. The study highlights how digital technology is being strategically implemented to improve educational outcomes, operational efficiency, and economic growth while adhering to the core aspects of Maqāsid Shariah the protection of faith, life, intellect, offspring, and property. The research highlights the strategic implementation of digital technologies in pesantren, addressing challenges like technical proficiency and cultural integration. The study underscores the strategic importance of digital integration in Islamic educational institutions for socio-economic and cultural advancement in the digital era. This paper provides important insights into the sustainable adaptation of digital models in pesantren by highlighting the importance of Maqāsid Shariah in guiding these institutions through technological change. This research is essential for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders by providing a nuanced understanding of the intersection between Islamic values and digital innovation in the pesantren sector.

Purpose – Due to the dynamic nature of schools, the Department of Education currently faces significant issues including low teaching quality, teacher shortages, absenteeism, poor school climate, lack of well-trained and motivated instructors, and instability. Total Quality Management (TQM) is often linked to the school environment, teacher satisfaction, and performance, playing a crucial role in improving the quality of education. This paper aims to identify how teacher job satisfaction and school climate influence the relationship between TQM and school performance. Methodology – A total of 346 teachers from Pakistan’s highperformance schools and low-performance schools, with diverse positions and wage scales, were chosen as participants in this study using stratified random sampling. Data was collected quantitatively using a survey inquiry and SPSS version 24 was utilized to analyze the data and answers the study questions. The mediation procedure was evaluated using the Sobel test. Findings – Findings showed that the TQM variable has the highest mean value (mean=4.87) compared to the other variables tested, namely job satisfaction, school performance and school climate. According to the study’s findings, TQM, job satisfaction, and school climate all have a favourable and significant direct influence on school performance. Additionally, school climate and job satisfaction variables were found to be partial mediators linking TQM and school performance. Significance – This study significantly enhances school quality management through a positive environment and capable human resources. The findings are also anticipated to encourage the Pakistan government to establish organizational management and educational leadership training courses to emphasise the significance of TQM and its most efficient use in the education sector.

Purpose - Art forms such as music and drama are among some recognised tools used by educators. This has sparked interest in how art can be used in education, making it a fertile field for educational research. However, there is a missing connection in how drawing can be used as a tool for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students to learn about literature. Methodology - This paper will incorporate an Arts-Based Research (ABR) method to determine how visual art, particularly drawing, can be used as a tool to advance EFL students’ understanding of a selected literary text, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” (2015) This qualitative study, viewed through the lens of Richard Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), involved 10 EFL participants and revealed strategies for integrating drawing that are absent in traditional approaches. Additionally, Hameed’s (2022) elements of art, Yenawine’s (2014) Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), and Showalter’s (2003) concepts of literature learning will be included to ground the framework of the intervention. Findings - This study can be regarded as a method to liberate traditional teaching practices into contemporary approaches, serving as a tool to merge cultural knowledge while improving confidence, higher-order thinking skills, and expression. It also allows educators to be flexible and provoke more reflection and participation. The data discusses three main strategies in exploring how integrating drawing can help EFL students learn about literature: mining to trigger thoughts, engaging with the senses, and giving permission to wonder. Visual art allows individuals to create their responses by exploring new ideas and representing emotions, confirming plans, and comprehending the deeper level of literary texts. Significance – The study will offer insight and work as an alternate strategy for educators and learners alike to utilise visual art as a tool in teaching and learning literature. The findings will also ease the alarming condition where literature teaching and learning are stereotyped as daunting.

This study aims to provide insight into the publication trends of microcredit programmes from 2000 to 2021. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 1,241 scholarly works related to microcredit programmes as recorded in the Scopus database in September 2022. Specifically, this paper will analyse the evolution of microcredit programmes research by examining (a) document and source types, (b) year of publications and languages, (c) types of sources and subject area, (d) keyword analysis, (e) geographical distribution and citation analysis as well as (f) citation clustering analysis. The results of the bibliometric study provide important information on publications’ current and future trends in the field of microcredit programmes. Based on the data, the number of publications on microcredit programme research has fluctuated over 21 years since 2000. The results, also, present the United States as the largest contributor to microcredit programmes research, followed by India. Meanwhile, the Journal of World Development published the most publications related to research on microcredit programmes. The implications of this study indicate the evolving nature of microcredit programme research and the need for continuous exploration and analysis in this field. Understanding publication trends, identifying leading contributors, and to considering additional databases for research can contribute to the development of current and future studies on microcredit programmes.

Green manufacturing practices (GMP) are promoted by the United Nations through an effort known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which has been welcomed by Malaysia to address global environmental problems, with manufacturing sectors becoming the primary focus, in line with the National Policy goals to enhance the capacity of the manufacturing sector by 2025. However, Malaysia’s green commitment is less encouraging globally, as most manufacturers are still struggling to implement GMP due to weak leadership, resulting in low acceptance within the organization. Servant leadership is proposed as a mediator to help manufacturers implement GMP effectively, where this leadership is less concerned with the context of green practices in Malaysia. In this paper, the influential factors of GMP implementation will also be identified. A total of 40 factory managers responded to the survey used in a pilot study. The initial results show that the most influential factor is law enforcement, based on mean score, followed by proactive communication and technology advancement. Meanwhile, servant leadership did not mediate the relationships between the business environment and organizational factors, except for individual factors and GMP, as employees are empowered to be creative in their own ways. This study offers new perspectives to manufacturers who intend to maintain their commitment towards GMP.

Many nations are creating E-courts to simplify court operations. However, religious e-Courts take more work to execute. This study has identified religious court e-Court implementation issues and solutions using Delphi and ANP. It first employed Delphi and a literature review to interview experts face-to-face. Eight judges, I.T. workers, and attorneys from three religious court districts analysed the model using a priority scale with an Analytic Network Process (ANP). The study found that infrastructure or equipment from the application of the e-Court system is the main issue, with a geometric mean of 0.306, followed by Human Resources (0.262), the system (0.219), and regulation (0.213). Improving e-Court system regulation (0.850) and infrastructure were the primary solutions (0.770). This paper details cluster priority solutions and issues. This study suggests that the highest religious court authority focuses on infrastructure, human resources, e-Court operational systems, and associated legislations. The government must adopt the e-Court system and registration laws to encourage more active socialising. The study prioritises e-Court implementation issues in the religious courts of Indonesia.

Agriculture is crucial in guaranteeing food security all over the world. Essentially, farmers play a significant role in food security. Producing improved crop varieties is one of the ways to increase sustainable crop productivity. Farmers in Malaysia, in particular small-scale farmers, are still practicing and relying on some traditional agricultural practices. In order to protect new varieties of crops and plants, there exists some legislation vis-a-vis intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the field of agriculture. Patents and plant breeders’ rights, for instance, bring with them some legal implications towards farmers. This paper aims to examine the existing legislation governing farmer rights in Malaysia, focusing on the relevant provisions of the Protection of New Plant Variety Act 2004 (PNPVA). The research also dwells on current issues pertaining to PNPVA’s implementation and the ongoing proposed amendment. The research has employed doctrinal analysis in its investigation and analysis, which has been based on the available data and materials, supported with input collected from an interview with the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The study has found that the concept of farmer rights should not be jeopardized amidst the Government’s commitment in harmonizing the law with the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), while optimizing the access of Malaysian farmers to new crop varieties and plant technologies. The present study has also come to the conclusion that the Government must balance the protection afforded to plant breeders with that granted to the local farming community in Malaysia.

The concept of “sustainable public procurement” has emerged worldwide. It instructs governments to prioritize sustainability throughout the procurement process in the economic, social, and environmental aspects. Such a concept is significant as the government has an enormous purchasing power to stimulate the market. Nonetheless, past empirical research indicates that in the context of Indonesia, the country has not addressed several vital issues on sustainable public procurement despite the worsening environmental degradation. There have been no specific guidelines and capacitybuilding system established for government officers. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss this problem from the perspective of law and suggest the necessary improvements in the legal framework, utilizing normative legal research methods focusing on the applicable laws. Through a comparative approach, using statutes and conceptual frameworks, this study examines the Indonesian current legal instruments governing sustainable public procurement. Several other countries will be used as exemplars of best practices. This research finds that the legal framework of sustainable public procurement in Indonesia is relatively inadequate compared to other countries, particularly regarding guidelines for implementation and institutional cooperation. In addition to its Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2021, Indonesia should strengthen the planning, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms through strategic overarching plans and further regulations to foster the effective implementation of a system of sustainable public procurement.

Indigenous forests and indigenous communities have always shared a deep emotional, spiritual, and practical bond. This paper aims to methodically examine the relationship between the level of rights held by indigenous people concerning indigenous forest governance and the ability of the indigenous community in ensuring the long-term viability of its ecosystems. Concurrently, in examining and discussing these issues it is hoped that it can also contribute to the survival of the indigenous people in the future. The elucidation of indigenous people’s rights in the context of indigenous forest governance is based on the empirical scrutiny of the study hypotheses, utilizing the Sikor et al. type of rights. A quantitative analysis through Somer analysis was also carried out on the comprehensive secondary data sets obtained from six selected ASEAN member countries. The findings show that the six selected ASEAN member countries have not yet been granted the third level of rights for indigenous peoples with regard to indigenous forest governance. The statistical evidence strongly suggests the urgent need in these countries to grant indigenous people rights over indigenous forest governance, both within a legal framework and in practical implementation, particularly at the definitional and allocative level of rights. The absence of such rights at the highest levels raises significant concerns about the sustainability of indigenous forests and the welfare of indigenous people across the observed ASEAN member countries.

The Strengthening Program for Rural Banks (SPRB) in the Philippines has allowed universal banks to purchase rural banks, and this policy highlights the possible advantages of expanding business combinations for intangible assets. Considering the SPRB, this paper examines the intangible motivation behind banks' actions to purchase capital-deficient financial institutions. This study aims to address sources of intangible assets for Philippine banks as Tobin's q measures. Using Tobin's q as a measure of intangible value allows for identifying contributing factors that determine it based on financial data. The study subjects are actively traded Philippine Universal Banks between 2009 and 2018. The influence of variables in the study on intangible asset value, as Tobin’s q measures, was determined using an Ordinary Least Squares model. Operational factors significantly influencing intangible value are investments in subsidiaries and associates, the return on assets, and bank deposits. Activities intended to reach target customers, such as those captured by marketing and advertising expenditures, positively influence intangible value. These findings imply that merely purchasing more assets does not improve the value of intangible resources. Instead, asset productivity, funds to make more loans, and informing the public of bank activities benefit intangible asset values. The implications of these findings offer insight into the sources of intangible assets that investors value.

The introduction of One Person Company (OPC) has revolutionized the concept of Company operations around the world. Many countries have witnessed significant growth in their economy and Gross Domestic Products (GDP) as a result of the development of OPC. The concept of OPC received much reception because it allows one person to operate a company that has a corporate personality distinct from him. This paper is a comparative study of OPC practices in Asia and Europe with focus on legal entity, incorporation procedure, minimum share capital, appointment of a nominee and conversion of OPC. By using the doctrinal data gathering approach, the researchers examine the relevant journals, articles, books, papers, and Internet sources with a view to achieve the objective of the study. In choosing the sample States, the article further uses the GDPs as a yardstick for selecting the participating countries. The reason for adopting the GDP as the criterion is because it provides an economic snapshot of a nation which is used to calculate the size of an economy and its growth rate. The findings of the research paper reveal that the economies around the world were boosted since the inception of the OPCs. Countries like the United Kingdom, Singapore and China witnessed 3.5 percent growth in their economy since inception of OPCs. Establishing and operating Businesses have become easy because the single shareholder need not go through the tedious process of documentations, getting minimum requirements for partners as is applicable for other forms of company operations.

The positive acceptance of cryptocurrency by the public indicates their interest and enthusiasm for cryptocurrency. Nevertheless, the regulatory overlay related to cryptocurrency is still at its infancy level, posing challenges to its estate administration upon the death of the owner of a cryptocurrency, which will lead to its disappearance and loss as it becomes impossible to be inherited. Hence, in light of this undesirable possibility, this paper aims to analyze the legal and Shariah issues on the estate administration of cryptocurrency from the perspectives of Malaysian laws and Shariah. This paper examined doctrinal research by examining relevant legal provisions, Shariah rulings, fatwa, cases, and non-legal literature on estate administration. This paper concludes that there is a lacuna in the estate administration of cryptocurrency as its regulatory framework is still new and evolving. Therefore, the legal and Shariah issues highlighted in this paper may provide some important policy implications for regulators and policymakers to fulfil the lacuna in the estate administration of cryptocurrency in Malaysia.

Concomitantly, with the increase of the Muslim population in the world, halal awareness has been on the rise. A lot of halalindustries have emerged nowadays, and among them are halal pharmaceuticals. However, with the advancement of technology, gelatin-based products have been widely developed and are being used in the pharmaceutical industry. Its halal status can thus be questionable (mashbooh). This paper aims to study the Islamic perspective on gelatin-based products in pharmaceuticals. The study uses a qualitative method which involves literature review from al-Quran, as-Sunnah, articles in journals, and other references from the internet that can be trusted as credible data sources. In addition, the methodology of this study includes researching the istihalah method and fatwa in Malaysia to determine the halal status of gelatin in pharmaceutical products. This paper also focuses on the Malaysian Standard of Halal Pharmaceuticals-General Requirements (MS 2424:2019) and the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual- Domestic 2020 (MPPHM 2020). The findings of this study show that gelatin mostly originate from animal sources. Therefore, its halal status can be questionable even if it comes from permitted animals such as cows or chickens. This is because the animals are only considered halal if they are slaughtered according to the precepts of Islamic law. In order to address such religious concerns, there have been a lot of research on the alternatives to animal gelatin such as from marine sources and plant-based sources. From the Islamic perspective, the use of gelatin from marine sources and animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic rules is halal. However, gelatin which are sourced from pork and its derivatives are still haram after going the process of istihalah because its chemical substances remain the same and unchanged even after istihalah. Nevertheless, during an emergency, it may be permissible to consume medication containing pork gelatin if there is no replacement or alternative for pork gelatin even if it is from haram sources.

The Malay states remain sovereign from the pre-Federation of Malaya in 1957 until today. They acquired external sovereignty through international recognition via membership of Malaya in the United Nations. International law recognises Malaysia's continental shelf, a federation comprising a few coastal states under UNCLOS 1982. A local issue close to this subject is the Malay states’ rights in the Federation of Malaysia over petroleum production within the continental shelf adjacent to their territorial waters. Hence, this paper examines a Malay state's rights over Malaysia's continental shelf. This study is a qualitative legal analysis using a case study design promoting the method of watanic jurisprudence. Therefore, the Federal Constitution, UNCLOS 1982, and various statutes are analysed to answer many related issues beforehand. This paper has found that the territorial waters of the Malay states cannot be limited to three nautical miles from the low tide line in pursuance of the Territorial Sea Act 2012 without strict compliance with Article 2 of the Federal Constitution. The legitimacy of the territorial limits of the Malay states' waters is essential as it determines their rights to the continental shelf and its petroleum production.

Hypercorrection has been described as a sociolinguistic phenomenon where linguistic overcompensation occurs from the over-application of a perceived rule of language usage prescription. This paper reports a study investigating hypercorrection among younger and older native speakers of Bidayuh Biatah when speaking English. The qualitative study data were collected from eight native speakers of Bidayuh Biatah: four younger participants aged 23 years old and four older participants aged 55 to 69 years old. Hypercorrection was analysed by categorising them into phonological, syntactical, and morphological hypercorrection within the environments in which they occurred. Results showed that participants used all three categories of hypercorrections, with phonological hypercorrection occurring the most, followed by morphological hypercorrection and syntactical hypercorrection. However, the younger participants demonstrated hypercorrection less frequently than the older ones. The tendency to hypercorrect phonologically suggests that younger and older participants prioritised sound correctness when speaking in English, which they considered a prestigious language. This sociolinguistic insight can inform pedagogical practices.

Currently, a significant challenge revolves around the release of harmful wastewater burdened with synthetic dyes from various industries such as textiles, paper, cosmetics, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. These synthetic dyes carry considerable risks to human health, organisms, and the environment. The environmentally friendly production of SnO2 nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) is gaining recognition for its costeffectiveness and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional chemical and physical methods, which are both costly and hazardous. In this study, Pandan extract was utilized in the biosynthesis process due to its containing compatible phytochemicals that can act as capping and reducing agent to prepare SnO2 NPs. The degradation of methylene blue dyes through the photocatalytic process was observed to reach 79.8% within a span of 70 minutes. Additionally, the dependence on catalytic loading revealed that only a moderate amount of catalyst is necessary for effective photodegradation.

This study focuses on calculating the arc length of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) to determine the tumour's perimeter using the least-squares method. The method involves developing a mathematical equation that corresponds to the tumour model to calculate the perimeter even under uneven conditions. Least squares is used to find the best-fit line or curve that minimizes the sum of squared differences between observed data points and predicted values, commonly used in regression analysis. For tumour perimeter calculation from ultrasound data, the study employs both the least squares method and the Gauss-Jordan elimination method. By determining that 1 mm on the graph paper corresponds to 1.2929 mm in actual size, the total arc length is calculated to be 9.5026 mm. Manual measurements, especially with complex shapes and small details, can be prone to errors. Therefore, PeriSolve, a graphical user interface (GUI) and professional simulator, is designed to simplify perimeter calculations for uneven surfaces, with a specific focus on using the least squares method.

The e-Mathscore innovation addresses the challenge of efficiently managing and monitoring Summative Assessment Test (UPS) and Continuous Assessment (PB) scores in mathematics education through data analysis technology. By leveraging the capabilities of Google Data Studio and Google Spreedsheet, e-Mathscore provides a systematic platform for lecturers, students, and parents to access and review assessment scores. Originating from the online Matriculation Program Semester Examination (PSPM) results checking system, e-Mathscore offers an intuitive solution for enhancing student self-awareness and improving teaching and learning (PdP) productivity for lecturers. With its user-friendly interface, e-Mathscore facilitates easy access for students and parents, thereby reducing paper usage and streamlining the assessment process. The innovation demonstrates significant potential for commercialization, as it addresses a critical need in the education sector and offers scalability for implementation across various subjects and matriculation colleges in Malaysia. Moreover, the system's ability to provide comprehensive insights into student performance, along with features like the PSPM target meter, further underscores its impact on educational outcomes. Overall, e-Mathscore represents a transformative solution poised to revolutionize mathematics education and improve learning experiences for students and educators alike.

Capacity is the legal right and empowerment of a legal person to individual responsibility. A legal person has the right to social, economic, and political duties and responsibilities in the society to sue and be sued in the law court. However, the issue of artificial persons has been gaining attention in recent times, especially its legal capacity. This paper examines the legal capacity of Artificial Intelligence from Islamic jurisprudential perspective. For instance, legal and juristic issues remain around the legal capacity of humanoids like Sophia Robot which was granted the first full citizenship in Saudi Arabia. Does that citizenship translate to full rights and responsibility like a normal human? The study uses a qualitative method to employ the doctrinal approach of analyzing Islamic jurisprudential opinions on the legal personality of an artificial person. Although there are Islamic thresholds on minors and other interdicted persons, however, the study explores the extent of interpolating classical Islamic rulings of the legal capacity of certain corporations, entities, and interdicted persons on the artificial intelligence robot. The study found that an artificial intelligence robot does not have the complete traits to be considered for natural legal capacity. However, AI has the trait of artificial personality that is justified in Islamic jurisprudence. The vicarious tortious liability can be interpolated on the artificial personality of AI to ensure the protection of the public interest. Therefore, this study lays the groundwork for further studies in understanding how Islamic law can address the rights, responsibilities, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI, thereby facilitating the development of comprehensive, and religiously sensitive regulatory frameworks.

Northern Nigeria is a Muslim dominated part of the country. Despite all the resources committed by the government in pursuit of achieving Zakat and Waqf noble objectives and different policies, embarked upon to combat poverty in the country, the realization remains a mirage in Northern Nigeria. The effectiveness of the various methods chosen in bringing about the changes has remained a question begging for answer. However, This paper, in an effort to explore opportunities, avenues and policies for making positive contributions to national development has posited that, through Zakah and Waqf every individual in the society is assured of minimum means of livelihood, The potential roles of two Islamic institutions; Zakat and Waqf in poverty eradication are herein discussed as well as how Islam uses them among others to achieve the goals. The paper attempts to define a new approach to poverty analysis and suggests a way to make the role of Zakat and Waqf more effective in the poverty reduction. The paper is analytical with presentation based on survey of relevant literature, with a view of adding to existing literature as well as synthesizing opposing views on the socio-economic role of Zakah and Waqf, also the process of their revitalization in the modern time. It concludes with other useful suggestions and recommendations for Nigerian Government and Muslims especially the Northern part.

Globalisation and fast-growing information technology have strikingly changed the approaches to ESL teaching and learning in the past few decades. On account of the increasing demands of the 21st century, the awareness on the importance of listening skills, especially listening comprehension, has grown tremendously. This is due to the realisation that excellent listening comprehension enables learners to communicate effectively and meaningfully. However, in the Malaysian context, studies found that listening skills are still perceived as less important than other language skills. Therefore, this paper aims to fill the gap by developing ‘The Adventure of Mat Kilau’, an interactive computer game to enhance ESL learners’ listening comprehension. The game features a Malay hero ‘Mat Kilau’ as the main character and different tasks which need the players to listen to verbal instructions. This paper also describes the stages of the research which include the needs analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Based on the findings, it is concluded that this interactive game works as a fun, challenging, and motivating tool for lower primary ESL listening comprehension.

Given the exposure to today's easy-to-know information, children should seemingly become mature faster than their predecessors, and therefore better informed even at a tender age. However, it remains to be seen whether fixingthe age of 18 forminors or children to enter into contracts is relevant. This paper focuses on contract law; it examines the age of majority and the legal implications of contracts entered into by minors. To a certain extent, this paper examines the issue by making comparisons between Malaysian and English law. The findings derived imply that the determination of the age of majority needs to be compatible with the capacity of minors and current realities. This determination must be premised on a fair balance between protecting minors' welfare and the interest of those who have attained the age of majority.

In the domain ofintellectual property (IP), the Geographical Indication (GI) is deemed to be a sleeping beauty due to its imperial reverberation in consolidating cultural and economic values, particularly in the developing and least developed countries. Bangladesh, being rich in cultural diversities and traditions, has a number of world famous foodstuffs, handicrafts, agricultural products and cultural heritage that could qualify as geographical indications. In this context, the country introduced a sui generis method of GI protection with the promulgation of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013, which was also monumental in discharging Bangladesh's obligation under the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The present paper has :firstly chosen to examine the concept of the GI and its legal framework from the IP perspective in order to safeguard both the cultural legacy and genuine producers of geographically exhibiting products of Bangladesh. The key focus of this paper is, however, on the compatibility of TRIPS to Bangladeshi law, particularly inrelation to the aspects of protection and registration of Gls, and to identify the unexplored challenges that the country is supposed to confront as a developing nation. Finally, this article portrays some way-outs to combat potential challenges and help ensure the prospects of Bangladesh in an ever expanding local and global market of GI goods.

In the last few decades, Malaysia has become a global hub for higher education services. Policies and programs have been put in place to improve the higher education system in the country and attract more international students. This development needs to be aligned with an effective dispute resolution framework to ensure the continuous development of the Malaysian higher education sector. The methodology employed in this paper is a doctrinal method based on the nature of the discourse. To examine the relevant higher education concepts and dispute resolution framework, research papers pertinent to the subject were analysed. In addition, relevant legislations were consulted to determine the adequacy of the existing legal framework for dispute resolution in the higher education context in Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to examine the nature of education services and the existing dispute resolution mechanisms in the Malaysian higher education sector. The paper will explore education services as either a "public good" or a "private good" and whether students are consumers in the real sense and have consumer rights. This research establishes that although scholars have often argued as to whether or not students are consumers, in Malaysia and other Asian countries, students are perceived as customers, and therefore, the interest, welfare and satisfaction of students must always be of utmost priority. A thorough study of the existing laws reveals that there is an inadequate provision in the education laws in Malaysia, especially regarding the mechanisms of dispute resolution in its higher education institutions.

Many parties face difficulties in performing contracts due to the economic dislocation since the outbreak of COVID-19. The extraordinary nature of this pandemic situation calls for good faith in contractual settings. The discussion of this paper focuses on the imposition in a force majeure event which will cause many contracts to be unenforceable. The research method used doctrinal analysis to discuss the force majeure clause in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the obligation of good faith in contracts. This paper will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic as a force majeure event, arguing that the rise of "good faith" in contract law and the application of "good faith" in contracts as a mitigation for a force majeure event. The paper will then present its conclusion and recommendations. The findings highlight the significance of applying "good faith" in the event of force majeure and beyond as a mitigating factor in alleviating uncertainty and unfairness.

The happiness of a teacher depends on some factors in the workplace including income and other benefits. This research paper examines the relationship between income inequality and happiness among college teachers. The study also aims to identify distinct clusters based on net income and happiness levels and explore their economic implications. The analysis involved secondary data from a current published study which were gathered through an adapted questionnaire from literature involving 101 college teachers. The gathered data were computed through statistical measures, regression analysis, and the K-means clustering method to make descriptions and draw conclusions. The results showed that, on average, faculty members are "happy" and with income relatively “low” based on Philippine standards. The regression analysis revealed that income and happiness are directly related but not significant association. Plus, the K-means clustering findings highlight the interconnections of income and happiness, with variations across clusters. Based on the significant Silhouette score of 0.631, the optimal number of clusters via K-means is 3. The three clusters represent the low, medium, and high levels of teachers' income and happiness. Cluster 1 represents few faculty with economically and emotionally well-off individuals, Cluster 2 depicts dominant faculty with lower income with high levels of happiness, and Cluster 3 faces challenges with lower income and happiness. Conclusively, income does not always influence the happiness of a college teacher. Hence, the research article strongly suggests that to improve the well-being of college teachers which is vital in quality teaching, the school heads must focus on professional development opportunities and incentives that compensate their efforts.

This paper presents the experience of one of the Islamic world universities in teaching Arabic language online (remotely); It is the Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA). The paper dealt with this experience by stating its most important components, characteristics, reasons, and the most important challenges and difficulties it faced, at the same time, the study suggested some recommendations that may contribute to addressing those challenges. The study concluded that the experience of "Teaching Arabic language online" at Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University is a very modern experience created by the circumstances of the Corona pandemic, which obligated everyone to social distancing as a part of safety measures as well as one of the foundations of distance education. The study concluded also that this experience has strengthened the idea of adopting this system in the future, and taking it as part of the education system at the university; taking into account the tremendous technological developments that have imposed themselves on the world and the changes in the life system with the pandemic and beyond it, especially in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, which is considered a role model in controlling the pandemic and preventing its spread. The study recommended the need to conduct more field research to determine the appropriateness of this type of education for learners, and the extent to which it achieves its educational goals.