Hamdard Islamicus

Editor — 2025-03-30

Table of Contents

Editorial

Editor — 2025-03-30

Editorial

SOCIALISATION AND INSTITUTIONALISATION PROCESS OF THE MODERATE RELIGIOUS CULTURE IN INDONESIAN MADRASAHS

NUR KAFID — 2025-03-30

The potential for being intolerant, radical, or even extreme is more common in public schools than in madrasahs (Islamic schools). However, religious moderation practices in madrasahs have not been able to dominate public space. This study aims to analyse and disclose the process of socialisation and institutionalisation of moderate religious culture in Indonesian madrasahs. This paper is an ethnographic study of the madrasahs (Islamic senior high schools) in Solo, Central Java, with an interpretive-constructivist approach. The data were collected from in-depth interviews and field observations with 105 respondents, including madrasah principals, teaching staff, and students who were selected purposively. Three processes of reduction, interpretation, and conclusion are applied for data analysis. The results revealed that the socialisation and institutionalisation process in madrasahs had succeeded in instilling moderate religious culture among students. Students understood the concept of religious moderation very well, i.e. being in the middle position, meaning not too extreme whether left or right. However, it is understood only in terms of social relations, not faith (‘aqīdah). Besides, the results show that the process has not been oriented towards interreligious and digital literacy and has not led them to make religious moderation a collective action. Students are not actively involved in responding to religious and social diversity issues around them. Moreover, Solo is often accused of being an intolerant city. It is because of students’ lack of literacy or comprehensive knowledge regarding the understanding and practice of religious moderation. Then, moderate groups, which are basically dominant, remain silent, so they prefer to act permissively toward intolerant behaviours. Again, the history of religious conflicts in the past has made identity politics increasingly intense in Solo. Lastly, there is an absence of public figures who are supposed to be catalysts for moderate movements. So, the findings suggest massive campaigns against moderate action among students and made them consider its necessity in public spaces, including on social media.

INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON PAKISTANI MAINSTREAM MEDIA: AN APPLICATION OF BELIEFS INTO ACTION SCALE FOR JOURNALISTS

DR. RIAZ AHMAD SAEED — 2025-03-30

This cross-sectional survey explored the influence of religion on Pakistani journalists by applying the Belief into Action Scale. The study based on responses from 300 journalists, discovered influence of religious beliefs held by the journalists of digital and electronic media on their professional (journalistic) practices. The findings demonstrated that the Belief into Action Scale was a highly reliable measure to assess the influence of religion on Pakistani journalists. The results observed that Pakistani male journalists were more influenced by religious beliefs than their female counterparts. Similarly, the journalists employed in digital media setups displayed a greater inclination towards faith while performing their professional duties than the ones belonging to electronic media organizations. Moreover, the study participants with more experience and increasing age were found to be more practically religious and tended to be more influenced by their religious beliefs while fulfilling their professional responsibilities. However, this research discovered that the journalists holding higher academic qualifications showed a lesser tendency to practicing religion than their contemporaries with lower educational qualifications.

FAMILY TAKAFUL (ISLAMIC LIFE INSURANCE) IN BANGLADESH: OPERATIONAL DILEMMAS AND REMEDIAL APPROACHES

DR. ISSA KHAN — 2025-03-30

Takaful industry in Bangladesh has been facing numerous problems. The study explores the operational dilemmas of family Takaful (Islamic life insurance) in Bangladesh and recommends approaches to meet the challenges. A qualitative method is used in this study, using data from thirty-two respondents, along with officers and SharÊ‘ah board members of Takaful companies, as well as Takaful participants. The findings revealed a lack of legislation, regulations, and policies for the development family Takaful in Bangladesh. Furthermore, mismanagement and profit-driven activities have adversely affected the family Takaful industry in Bangladesh. The ignorance of participants about the family Takaful is another setback in establishing a sustainable Takaful industry in Bangladesh. The study proposed strategies to overcome the challenges such as the family Takaful industry in Bangladesh may use commercial contracts that give SharÊ‘ah-specific funding and adopt different models of Takaful in accordance with the legislation of Malaysia. The findings of the research will be immensely useful in overcoming the constraints that the family Takaful in Bangladesh is now confronting.

THE EFFECT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AWQAF PROPERTIES INVESTMENT FUND IN SOMALIA

ULYA FATIMATUZZAHRA — 2025-03-30

This study examines the role of the Awqaf Properties Investment Fund (APIF) in shaping socio-economic development in Somalia through the lens of international cooperation and Islamic political economy. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach and secondary data analysis, the research highlights how APIF, facilitated by multilateral institutions like the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), serves as a strategic instrument of international development. The findings demonstrate that APIF not only supports small-scale organizations in high-risk areas but also strengthens transnational economic ties by integrating Islamic financial mechanisms into global development frameworks. The primary contribution of this study to the existing body of knowledge in this field is its demonstration of the potential for Islamic finance, particularly the waqf-based initiatives it examined, to function as an alternative paradigm within the broader context of the international political economy, offering a sustainable and cooperative approach to fostering economic resilience. The insights derived from this study underscore the increasing relevance of Islamic financial instruments, such as waqf, in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and in advancing international development strategies.

THE ROLE OF METALLURGY IN THE HOLY QUR'AN: HISTORICAL CONTEXTS AND CONTEMPORARY SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVES

SOMAYYEH KARAMI-MOHAJERI — 2025-03-30

The Holy Qur'an, revealed approximately 1400 years ago, encompasses teachings that extend beyond spiritual guidance to include insights into natural phenomena. This study investigates the Holy Qur'an's perspectives on metallurgy, specifically focusing on iron extraction and steel production as described in Surah Al-Kahf. Through a descriptive-analytical qualitative approach and thematic analysis of verses 96 and 97, which detail the construction of a barrier using iron and molten copper, this research explores the metallurgical processes implied in the text. Surah Al-Kahf was chosen for its explicit references to iron and its applications, particularly in the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn, offering a unique lens for examining ancient metallurgical knowledge. By comparing these Quranic descriptions with modern scientific understanding of iron smelting, alloying, and purification, the study reveals a remarkable alignment between the two. The findings suggest that the Holy Qur'Én references advanced metallurgical techniques, such as the use of fluxes and alloying agents, which parallel contemporary practices in iron and steel production. This research not only highlights the Holy Qur'an's scientific dimensions but also contributes to the broader discourse on the intersection of religious texts and scientific knowledge, demonstrating the potential for interdisciplinary dialogue between theology and materials science.