The main objective of the present paper is to empirically analyze the efficiency of 26 selected Islamic banks from different countries, namely: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The data used covers the period of 2012‒2016. To measure the banks’ efficiency, we used the frontier-based efficiency methodology, which was especially developed in the presence of panel data. In this respect, the panel data provided us with a fruitful framework for analyzing the efficiency. Therefore, the method employed was the shadow cost frontier based on the estimation of parametric cost inefficiency and its decomposition into both technical and allocative inefficiencies. The findings showed that the Islamic banks are costinefficient. With regard to the allocative inefficiency, it can be explained by excessive use of capital relative to labor, accompanied by an overuse of financial resources in terms of labor. The present study also revealed that the financial factor is overused, relative to the physical capital. Furthermore, technical inefficiency appears to be the second source of cost inefficiency as far as the Islamic banks are concerned. Overall, the findings indicate that the Islamic banks must improve their use of resources by about 43.7 percent for achieving efficiency.

This paper conducts an intensive review and then critically evaluates and findings of previous studies on the topic of Islamic trust fund performance in Malaysia. It also examines the comprehensiveness of each previous study in terms of its approach, its methodology, its data and its interpretation of previous findings that other studies have used to measure unit trust fund performance. This paper aims to identify the strengths, weaknesses and shortcomings of previous studies. The findings of this paper show that most empirical works on Malaysia's unit trust funds have contributed to the present body of knowledge by offering detailed performance evidence of an emerging market that has strong government support. Specifically, the present paper attains a better understandings of the approaches and methodologies used to measure the performance of Islamic unit trusts in Malaysia.

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics, traveling and expenditure patterns of repeat visitors h m West Asia in order to capture reasons for repeat visitations. This study conducted survey questionnaire at various locations in Klang Valey based on purposive sampling in mid 2004. The findings showed that West Asia repeat visitors were singles, males of 20-40 age groups, high paid income and well traveled. Age group and occupation were significant factor influencing repeat visitation. The traveling and expenditure patterns are quite similar with the first time visitors. Greater understanding of the repeat visitors profile will help policy-maker formulate cost-effective marketing strategies.

There are different point of views with regards to mechanism of zakat distribution, especially how much the share, which should be received by each item. Zakat has special characteristic that distinguishes zakat from other transfers of wealth which is that zakat can only be used in the limited objectives. These objectives are related to individual, community and humanity at large. As well as being an obligatory act of worship, it is a system through which a Muslim society can eradicate poverty and inequalities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the system of zakat management in Brunei Darussalam including the collection and disbursement channels handled by the Zakat Collection and Disbursement Division (BAKAZ) in Brunei Darussalam. This paper identifies the categories of zakat recipients (asnaf) and application recognized in Brunei Darussalam. It is interesting to note that there has been significant increase in the number of recipients of zakat fund from the category of destitute and poor since the year 2004, although there was evidence of a decrease in zakat received on property in 2006 and 2007 which could be the result from lack of fund. This paper also highlights the findings of an empirical study regarding the progress and problems faced by the recipients of the capital assistance from the zakat fund. As resulted from the findings and observations, this paper provides some policy implications in order to improve the efficiency anf effectiveness of Zakat management in Brunei.