Kursus Falsafah dan Isu Semasa (FIS) merupakan satu kursus baharu yang diperkenalkan kepada pelajar Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) bermula September 2019. Kursus ini wajib diambil oleh semua pelajar IPT termasuklah pelajar USIM. Memandangkan FIS adalah satu kursus baharu, justeru kajian ini dilihat bertepatan bagi mengkaji persepsi pelajar terhadap tenaga pengajar yang mengendalikan kursus FIS bagi semester 2, 2019/2020 semasa tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) COVID-19. Kajian yang dijalankan ke atas pelajar tahun satu ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kuantitatif. Borang soal selidik diedarkan secara dalam talian kepada pelajar tahun satu daripada enam fakulti. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan persepsi pelajar terhadap pensyarah FIS adalah pada tahap tinggi dan positif dengan skor min yang tinggi. Ini menunjukkan bahawa tenaga pengajar FIS mempunyai personaliti yang baik dan keupayaan dalam penyampaian kursus FIS. Input kajian ini penting untuk dikongsikan bersama dengan tenaga pengajar FIS bagi menambahbaik proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran (PdP) FIS pada masa hadapan.

Makalah ini membincangkan hasil analisis awal menurut pandangan pakar dalam mengenalpasti perbincangan sarjana Islam unggul, Ibnu Khaldun berkenaan karakteristik ‘asabiyyah yang menjadi faktor utama dalam Teori Kitaran beliau. Usaha ini bagi menangani kelompangan kajian terdahulu untuk merungkai secara sistematik, karakteristik yang ada dalam perbincangan ‘asabiyyah oleh Ibnu Khaldun. Sebagai analisis awal, pengkaji telah menjalankan kajian ke atas tiga orang pakar dalam pengkajian ilmu Ibnu Khaldun yang diperoleh secara temu bual mendalam dan dianalisis secara tematik. Hasil analisis awal mendapati terdapat empat karakteristik utama dalam konsep ‘asabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun, iaitu kekuatan agama, perkongsian tujuan dan nilai, melangkaui pertalian darah, bersifat positif dan berani mengajukan tuntutan. Justeru, kajian ini dapat menjadi sumber rujukan yang lebih sistematik dan tersusun dalam menjelaskan karakteristik ‘asabiyyah Ibnu Khaldun yang menjadi teras utama jatuh bangun sesebuah tamadun. Malahan dapatan kajian ini dapat mengangkat kerelevanan perbincangan yang menjangkau 600 tahun yang lampau untuk diaplikasikan kepada masyarakat heterogen yang unik dan pelbagai dalam peradaban masa kini.

Kepelbagaian etnik adalah sesuatu yang unik. Malah ia merupakan satu fitrah alam yang mewarnai kehidupan manusia. Dalam Islam tiada satu istilah atau konsep yang mengatakan bahawa sesuatu etnik itu lebih baik daripada etnik yang lain kerana manusia adalah sama sahaja. Terdapat banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi kelangsungan sesuatu etnik dalam masyarakat di mana setiap etnik mempunyai peranan dan penglibatan mereka yang tersendiri. Makalah ini membincangkan secara ringkas sejarah penghijrahan orang Arab Hadhrami ke Malaysia dan penglibatan mereka dalam masyarakat Melayu yang berbeza dari segi etnik, bahasa dan budaya serta penerimaan masyarakat Melayu terhadap orang Arab secara amnya. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif secara analisis kandungan sumber primer seperti bahan arkib, dokumen dan rekod rasmi. Selain itu, sumber sekunder seperti artikel ilmiah, buku dan majalah turut dirujuk. Temu bual juga dijalankan. Namun, makalah ini tidak berniat untuk mengkaji semula semua kajian yang telah dijalankan setakat ini. Sebaliknya ia bertujuan untuk meneliti bagaimana masyarakat Arab khususnya keturunan Sayyid menyesuaikan diri dalam masyarakat multi etnik di Malaysia serta penglibatan mereka dalam masyarakat. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa orang Arab Hadhrami khususnya keturunan sayyid berjaya menyesuaikan diri dengan budaya dan cara hidup masyarakat Melayu melalui perkahwinan campur. Bahkan mereka juga telah menjadi sebahagian daripada masyarakat Melayu dan dianggap sebagai Melayu. Walau bagaimanapun, ada dalam kalangan mereka yang masih mengekalkan tradisi dan cara eksklusif hidup orang Arab.

Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (KPT) telah melancarkan pendekatan blended learning dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran bagi menyelaraskan sukatan pelajaran di samping meringankan beban pensyarah. Manakala, kursus Tamadun Islam dan Tamadun Asia (TITAS) pula merupakan kursus yang diwajibkan kepada semua pelajar Institut Pengajian Tinggi di Malaysia. Oleh yang demikian, kursus ini merupakan kursus yang diikuti oleh sejumlah pelajar yang besar pada setiap semester yang menjadikan beban bagi pensyarah kursus tersebut bertambah. Oleh itu, bagi menyelaraskan sukatan pelajaran di samping meringankan beban pensyarah TITAS, pihak KPT telah membangunkan TITAS MOOCs yang diketuai oleh Universiti Putra Malaysia. Kertas ini akan mengkaji penggunaan modul pembelajaran TITAS MOOCs dalam kalangan pelajar UMS. Kajian mendapati penggunaan pelajar UMS terhadap modul TITAS MOOCs adalah baik dan terdapat hubungan yang tinggi antara faktor-faktor penerimaan iaitu Tanggapan ianya bermanfaat, Tanggapan ianya mudah digunakan dan Pengaruh sosial dengan penerimaan pelajar UMS iaitu Penggunaan secara sukarela. Kajian ini penting bagi menilai kerelevanan modul TITAS MOOCc serta persekitaran UMS sendiri dalam merealisasikan pendekatan blended learning dalam kursus TITAS.

The phrase ‘asabiyya was profoundly foregrounded 600 years ago by Ibn Khaldun in his magnum opus, the Mukadimah, as the principal determinant to the rise and fall of a civilisation. Nevertheless, the debate on contemporary concepts such as nationalism, patriotism, national identity and sense of belonging are adopted in addressing statehood and nation which are deeply related to the discussion of Ibn Khaldun’s ‘asabiyya. Accordingly, this article presents the revisiting act of discussing Ibn Khaldun’s ‘asabiyya within contemporary notions. This article considers the views of scholars from the works of literature on the concepts of patriotism, nationalism, national identity and sense of belonging and these concepts were derived from Ibn Khaldun’s ‘asabiyya. Ergo, many scholars have recognised the contribution of Ibn Khaldun's ‘asabiyya, and it stays relevant in today’s contemporary concepts.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of creative spirituality on product development among students who participated in the Islamic Innovation Student Competition (i-REKA) 2017 at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The study employed the quantitative approach through a survey instrument design. Data were collected using questionnaires, and the constructs used were developed from prior research and previously-tested for reliability. A total of 147 questionnaires were analysed from the respondents in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the characteristics of the respondents, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while the multivariate technique which was employed was regression. The findings revealed that significant relationships exist in the state of creative spirituality among students of the products development competition. These findings may provide a distinctive perspective on the concept of creative spirituality and product development, and its necessity in the Islamic educational system for the contemporary modern era.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of creativity and innovation on product development among students who participated in the Islamic Innovation Student Competition (i-REKA) 2017 at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The study employed the quantitative approach through a survey instrument design. Data were collected using questionnaires, and the constructs used were developed from prior research and previously tested for reliability. A total of 147 questionnaires were analyzed from the respondents in this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the characteristics of the respondents including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while the multivariate technique that was employed was regression. The findings revealed that significant relationships exist between the state of creativity and innovation among students of products development competition. These findings may provide a distinctive perspective on the concept of creativity and innovation and its necessity in the Islamic educational system for the contemporary modern era.

Being in a competitive industry such as hotel industry, customer’ satisfaction should be the priority. Thus it really urges the hotel providers to make sure the services are well provided. Due to that, the hotel employers/managers have to be strict and firm with the discipline and attitude of the employees to ensure they serve the best to the customers. However, the situation of ‘being controlled and monitored’ sometimes may affect the performance and quality of work among the employees as some of their human needs are ignored. Islam teaches Muslims to interact and treat employees in good manner. This study focuses on work life quality among employees in the hotel industry and also views it from an Islamic perspective. 100 employees from three 4-star hotels in Klang Valley were selected in the survey. The results show the highest needs among employees is to fulfill the needs of health and safety. It is followed by the social, knowledge & aesthetic needs, self-actualization & esteem needs; and economic needs. Most of the elements are in line with Islamic teaching.

This article attempts to examine the political tolerance level among multi-ethnic in the parliament of Johor Bahru. Using survey approach as a research design, this article ascertains factors that define ethnic political tolerance attitude. It found that the Malays tend to be more ethnocentric attitude, while the Chinese do not believe in the multi-ethnic political party, while the Indian is more politically tolerant even though cooperation with another party will further harm their own party. It also found that the urban voters are more concerned with 'larger issue' rather than ethnicity and racial per se. This study may lead to a new possibility in understands ethnic and political tolerance and its significance in the study of voting behavior. It also positively provides the present form of tolerance and political knowledge. It is substantial where ethnic politics apparent as vital matter, and tolerance has fully-fledged into Malaysia national agenda in managing multi-ethnic society.

This article highlights the history of the Hadhramis from Hadhramaut, Yemen in the nineteenth and twentieth century in Malaya. The Hadhramis appertained to the Sayyid Alawiyyah and claimed themselves as the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through his grandson Hussain. In general, Malays respectably looked upon all Arabs particularly the Sadah as they were believed as the inheritors of Islamic preaching. For this article, records from archives as well as academic works were used as reference. According to the archives sources, the Hadhramis who were the majority of the born Arabs or Peranakan Arab of non-Arab mothers managed to do well in their lives even though they were in a small number. They played a significant role in the society and managed to succeed in the economy and political undertaking in Malaya. Thus, being a minority group of immigrants did not hinder the Hadhramis from prospering in Malaya, and many of them were involved in trade and business ventures as well as real estate. In fact, nowadays they have become part of the Malay community and are identified as Malays.

This article highlights the history of the Hadhrami Arabs of Sayyid, descent from Hadhramaut, Yemen in the nineteenth and twentieth century Malaya. The Hadhrami Arabs appertained to the Sayyid Alawiyyah and claimed themselves as the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through his grandson Hussain. In general, Malays respectably looked upon all Arabs, particularly the Sayyids, as they were believed as the inheritors of Islamic preaching. For this article, records from archives as well as academic works were used as reference. According to the archives, the Hadhrami Arabs who were the majority of the born Arabs or Peranakan Arab of non Arab mothers managed to do well in their lives even though they were in a small number. They had played a significant role in the society and also managed to succeed in the economy and political undertaking in Malaya. Thus, being a minority group of immigrants did not hinder the Hadhrami Arabs from prospering in Malaya and many of them were involved in trade and business ventures as well as real estate. In fact, nowadays they have become a part of the Malay community and are identified as Malays.

The Ethics and Civilisations course is one of the newly-introduced university core subjects by the Ministry of Higher Education for students in public institutions of higher learning in Malaysia from September 2019. Students of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) began taking this subject since Semester II, 2019/2020. Basically, this course is intended to exposestudents to the concept of ethics from various civilisational perspectives and also the key for integration process which are initiated by the Malaysian government, NGOs’ and individual in the Malaysian context to strengthen social cohesion among multi-ethnic in Malaysia. Therefore, considering this is a new and important subject, this study aims to explore the correlation between USIM students’ motivation in learning this course and their attitude towards their course lecturer. This study is a quantitative study that uses questionnaires as an instrument. The data is then analysed through SPSS. The results found USIM students show a high motivation in studying this course, and this is correlated to course lecturer factor that possesses good personality and ability to teach this subject. With a high motivation in studying this course, it is hoped student appreciation of this course is increased, and could aid in the process of shaping social cohesion which is the key agenda of this country. This study serves an early input for the teaching staff for this course in USIM specifically, and in other institutions of higher learning generally, for preparation and improvement in future implementations of this course in the future. Keywords:Civilization, Motivation, Attitude, Personality, PdPc

Teamwork is an essential soft skills that need to be applied to every student in the national education institutions. The application of these skills is in line with the government's plan in the National Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2015-2025 which aims at producing a holistic graduate who could be characterized by an entrepreneurship and balanced process of education. This study aims to identify the impact of teamwork in the process of teaching and learning in the compulsory subjects in the Malaysian Public Universities. This study employed a quantitative method through a survey using questionnaires. A total of 424 respondents were randomly selected to make comparisons between the two public universities, namely Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) which are consisting of various ethnic groups, religions and field of study. Results showed a positive impact of teamwork skills on student's in the process of teaching and learning in both public universities. The teamwork skills could help to enhance the added-values on students, build their self-confidence and help to improve their communication skills and interaction with the others. In addition, the study also showed that the implication of teamwork skills on the students could expose and help them to develop critical and creative thinking to solve problems related to their tasks and improve the quality of learning process. In conclusion, this study suggests that the implementation of teamwork skills should be included together with the other prescribed soft skills with varied learned-centred activities.

The objective of this paper is to revisit the concept of thinking and innovation in Islam from the examples shown by Muslim scholars. This article also highlights the significance and the need to apply the Muslim scholars model of Islamic thinking and innovation culture to the present day educational system. The study is descriptive in nature, showcasing the scholarly contributions of great Muslim men from the past, as well as the opinions of contemporary scholars of Islam on thinking and innovation. This preliminary paper may provide a distinctive perspective on the concept of thinking and innovation and its necessity in the contemporary Islamic educational system. It should also be considered as a crucial tool to be mastered by youngsters during the present age in the era of science and technology.

Being in a competitive industry, the hotel employers/managers have to be strict and firm with the discipline and performance of the employees.This situation sometimesmayaffect the job satisfaction and quality of work life among the employees.This study focuses onthe job satisfaction and quality of work life among employees in the hotel industry. 100 employees from three 4-star hotels in Klang Valley were selected in the survey. The results show that working conditions, feeling accomplishment, using their own ability; and being‘somebody’ in the community asamong important elements in job satisfaction. Besides, in retaining the quality of work life, the employees need a pleasant work environment, fair pay, jobs that matchtheir skills; and working with cooperative employees.

Etnik Kedayan dipercayai berasal dari Jawa dan dibawa ke Brunei oleh Sultan Bolkiah (Sultan Brunei Kelima). Daripada Brunei, sebahagian mereka berhijrah dan menetap di Sabah dan Sarawak. Masyarakat tersebut juga merupakan penganut agama Islam yang dipercayai telah menerima Islam melalui Kesultanan Brunei pada akhir abad ke-15. Mereka terkenal dengan budaya dan amalan mereka yang unik. Antaranya ialah amalan "balangi" atau mandi langir. Sehubungan dengan itu, makalah ini bertujuan mengupas secara deskriptif interpretif amalan mandi langir dan kepentingannya dalam kalangan masyarakat Kedayan. Kajin ini merupakan kajian kualitatif yang menggunakan kaedah temu bual bagi mendapatkan data. Seterusnya, teks verbatim dianalisis bagi melihat sama ada wujud asas atau elemen daripada pra Islam dan Islam dalam amalan mandi langir masyarakat Kedayan. Kajian mendapati, amalan mandi langir dalam masyarakat Kedayan ada asasnya daripada kepercayaan pra Islam iaitu dinamisme-animisme dan juga Islam. Interaksi antara keduanya pada peringkat awal menyebabkan sinkretisme. Sungguhpun begitu, elemen sinkretisme dalam amalan mandi langir masyarakat Kedayan hampir pupus.

Kursus Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban merupakan salah satu kursus wajib universiti yang baru diperkenalkan oleh Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi untuk pelajar Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam di Malaysia bermula September 2019. Kursus ini telah mula diambil oleh pelajar Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia bermula semester II, 2019/2020. Pada dasarnya, kursus ini dibangunkan untuk pelajar sebagai pendedahan tentang konsep etika daripada perspektif peradaban yang berbeza serta Tapak Integrasi dalam konteks Malaysia bagi tujuan mengukuhkan kesepaduan sosial dalam kalangan masyarakat multietnik di Malaysia. Selain itu, perbincangan berkaitan isu-isu kontemporari dalam aspek ekonomi, politik, sosial, budaya dan alam sekitar daripada perspektif etika dan peradaban diharap dapat melahirkan pelajar yang bermoral dan profesional. Oleh itu, makalah ini bertujuan meneroka minat dan sikap belajar pelajar USIM terhadap kursus ini. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kuantitatif, yang menggunakan soal selidik sebagai instrumen. Data kemudiannya dianalisis menggunakan SPSS. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa pelajar USIM telah menunjukkan minat yang tinggi untuk mempelajari subjek ini serta mempunyai sikap belajar yang sangat positif terhadap kursus ini. Dengan minat yang tinggi serta sikap belajar yang positif ini, diharapkan proses kesepaduan sosial yang merupakan agenda penting Kerajaan Malaysia akan tercapai dan masyarakat multietnik di Malaysia akan hidup dengan harmoni. Kajian ini penting sebagai input awal kepada tenaga pengajar kursus ini di USIM khususnya dan di IPT amnya sebagai persediaan dan penambahbaikan dalam perlaksanaan kursus ini pada semester-semester yang akan datang.

Purpose: The issue of Muslim-Christian relations in Malaysia is often in the limelight of the mass media, domestic and foreign. Within recent years, there have been incidents directly related to this topic of discussion. This paper discusses these the issues and challenges faced by the Muslim and Christian communities in Malaysia. Methodology: This is a qualitative study, and the data were collected from library sources such as books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, websites, and detailed interviews with members of the Muslim and Christian faiths. The data was then analysed through a documentary analysis technique. Main Findings: This study found that Muslim-Christian relations often go through ebbs and flows. Generally, incidents involving religious sensitivities are fanned further by the mass media and interested politicians, although these issues are not as serious as reported. These situations then create an uneasy tension between the two communities, thus negatively affecting foster unity in diversity within the plural societies in Malaysia. What should be encouraged as an alternative is dialogue between adherents of different religions for them to know one another, and to promote religious harmony. Implications: In the New Malaysia era, room of dialogue seems to flourish with the inclusive approach of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. This is a positive development, which hopefully would be a catalyst to building a Malaysia society united in diversity.

Tahun 2020 tercatat dalam sejarah sebagai tarikh yang sangat signifikan dalam kehidupan manusia kerana pandemik COVID-19. Sejak awal tahun hinga kini, kita disajikan dengan berita tentang penularan wabak ini, bersama dengan data jumlah jangkitan dan kematian yang berlaku di seluruh dunia. Sehingga hari ini (30/5/2020) seramai 6,047,421 orang telah dijangkiti, dengan 367,149 kematian. Hampir semua negara membuat lock-down atau kawalan pergerakan untuk memutuskan rangkaian wabak ini sebagaimana yang dicadangkan WHO. Malaysia juga tidak terkecuali, di mana Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) telah diisytiharkan bermula 18 Mac 2020 hingga 9 June 2020. Kesannya kepada masyarakat dapat dirasai dalam semua aspek kehidupan termasuklah dalam hal berkaitan agama. Makalah ini membincangkan tentang kesan COVID-19 dalam amalan solat berjemaah dalam kalangan masyarakat Islam di Malaysia. Ia adalah hasil kajian yang dibuat menggunakan kaedah kualitatif. Data yang diperoleh adalah hasil kajian perpustakaan dan temu bual dengan para agamawan dan ahli akademik. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif interpretif. Fokus perbincangan adalah pada amalan solat Jumaat, Solat Terawih dan Solat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Kajian mendapati bahawa amalan solat berjemaah berpusat di rumah dan ketua keluarga memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam melaksanakannya. Ini adalah perubahan yang sangat signifikan dalam normal baharu amalan agama masyarakat Islam di Malaysia.

Tahun 2020 tercatat dalam sejarah sebagai tarikh yang sangat signifikan dalam kehidupan manusia kerana pandemik COVID-19. Sejak awal tahun hinga kini, kita disajikan dengan berita tentang penularan wabak ini, bersama dengan data jumlah jangkitan dan kematian yang berlaku di seluruh dunia. Sehingga hari ini (30/5/2020) seramai 6,047,421 orang telah dijangkiti, dengan 367,149 kematian. Hampir semua negara membuat lock-down atau kawalan pergerakan untuk memutuskan rangkaian wabak ini sebagaimana yang dicadangkan WHO. Malaysia juga tidak terkecuali, di mana Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) telah diisytiharkan bermula 18 Mac 2020 hingga 9 Jun 2020. Kesannya kepada masyarakat dapat dirasai dalam semua aspek kehidupan. Makalah ini membincangkan pengalaman pelajar Latihan Industri, USIM berhadapan dengan pandemik COVID-19. Ia adalah hasil kajian yang dibuat menggunakan kaedah kualitatif. Data yang diperoleh daripada soalan (open-ended) yang diedarkan secara atas talian. Data dianalisis secara deskriptif. Kajian mendapati walaupun pelajar Latihan Indutri USIM terkesan dengan pandemik COVID-19 yang melanda, namun mereka telah belajar tentang perkara baru yang bermanfaat dalam kehidupan mereka.