2025 CFORSJ i-CONF

Kajian ini meneliti pendekatan penggunaan seksaan dalam proses siasatan bagi tujuan mendapatkan pengakuan atau maklumat daripada suspek jenayah menurut perspektif Undang-undang Jenayah Islam. Isu ini penting kerana terdapat kecenderungan dalam sesetengah sistem siasatan moden yang menggunakan tekanan fizikal atau mental untuk mempercepatkan proses mendapatkan maklumat. Kajian ini memberi tumpuan kepada analisis pendekatan tersebut dengan menilai justifikasi, kesan, serta batasannya berdasarkan prinsip-prinsip syariah yang menekankan keadilan, rahmah, dan pemeliharaan maruah manusia. Kajian ini dijalankan dengan meneliti dalil dan pandangan fuqaha secara terperinci, membandingkan pendapat antara mazhab, serta menilai pendekatan tersebut berdasarkan prinsip dan nilai Islam. Kajian ini penting bagi mengetengahkan bahawa sebarang bentuk seksaan sebagai pendekatan siasatan ditolak dalam Islam kerana bertentangan dengan maqasid al-shariah dan prinsip keadilan. Islam menegaskan bahawa pengakuan yang diperoleh melalui paksaan adalah tidak sah, dan kaedah penyiasatan perlu berteraskan ihsan serta etika kemanusiaan. Kajian ini mencadangkan agar pendekatan siasatan berasaskan prinsip syariah diutamakan melalui latihan profesional, pengawasan kehakiman, dan perundangan yang tegas bagi memastikan hak asasi tertuduh terpelihara semasa proses siasatan berlangsung.

This study examines civil liability arising from errors committed by advanced robots in remote surgical procedures through a comparative analytical study of Emirati and Malaysian legislation. It aims to analyze and evaluate the current legal framework for civil liability for medical errors caused by surgical robots in both countries, and to conduct a comprehensive comparison to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each legal system. The research problem lies in the difficulty of determining civil liability when a medical error occurs during the use of robots, whether due to a software malfunction or human error. World Health Organization statistics indicate that 7% of medical errors in robotic surgeries are due to technical or software malfunctions. The study's significance lies in presenting a new scientific model that integrates law and medical technology, guiding legislators toward developing legislation capable of protecting patients' rights and ensuring the accountability of various parties (surgeon, hospital, manufacturer). The study employs a comparative analytical approach, utilizing a mixedmethods research strategy that includes descriptive legal analysis, legislative comparison, and critical analysis of legal texts and judicial rulings in both countries. The study is expected to reveal legislative gaps in addressing robotic errors, highlight the differences in legal approaches between the two systems, and identify applicable best practices. Recommendations include developing a specific law on liability for medical technology errors, establishing specialized committees to assess robotic errors, setting clear standards for distributing responsibility among different parties, and fostering international cooperation to develop unified standards governing the use of advanced robots in remote surgical procedures.

This article examines how the rapid expansion of digital technology has reshaped Syariah criminal enforcement in Malaysia and why Religious Enforcement Officers (REOs) must be reconceptualised as Digital Evidence First Responders (DEFRs). While cyber-enabled offences in Syariah criminal now rely heavily on electronic traces, the Syariah evidentiary framework still centres on classical modes of proof and procedures designed for physical exhibits. The study analyses the legal and procedural gaps within the Syariah Court Evidence Act, the Syariah Criminal Procedure Act, standing departmental instructions and existing practice directions, and compares them with international digital-forensic standards on Chain of Custody (CoC). It argues that current practice leaves REOs without clear guidance or institutional support when handling digital devices, resulting in ad hoc seizure, incomplete documentation and weak evidentiary continuity. Drawing on Qur’anic principles of documentation, trust and justice, the article contends that safeguarding digital evidence integrity is both a technical requirement and a Sharīʿah obligation linked to the maqāṣid of ḥaqq, amānah and ʿadl. The study concludes by proposing a set of integrated reforms: clearer and more detailed guidelines on digital evidence handling, the establishment of dedicated digital evidence units, continuous DEFR-oriented training for REOs and statutory amendments to explicitly recognise and regulate digital proof. Together, these measures would strengthen the CoC in Syariah cybercrime cases and enhance the reliability and credibility of digital evidence before Syariah courts.

Penerimaan keterangan berbentuk rakaman audio dan video dalam prosiding Mahkamah Syariah dan Mahkamah Sivil di Malaysia menunjukkan perkembangan signifikan seiring kemajuan teknologi digital. Bukti berasaskan multimedia kini memainkan peranan penting dalam memperkukuh fakta kes, namun menimbulkan persoalan berkaitan ketulenan, kebolehpercayaan, serta kesahihan prosedur pembuktian di sisi undang-undang. Kajian ini meneliti isu dan implikasi perundangan berhubung kebolehterimaan rakaman audio dan video sebagai bahan keterangan, dengan tumpuan khusus terhadap amalan di Mahkamah Syariah. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan analisis dokumen kualitatif melibatkan perbandingan antara peruntukan undang-undang, keputusan kes mahkamah, serta pandangan sarjana hukum Syariah dan sivil. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa meskipun Mahkamah Sivil memperuntukkan mekanisme khusus melalui Seksyen 90A hingga 90C Akta Keterangan 1950, Mahkamah Syariah pula masih bergantung kepada tafsiran umum di bawah Enakmen Keterangan Mahkamah Syariah (Sabah) 2004. Perbezaan ini menimbulkan cabaran dari segi ketulenan bukti digital, dan keperluan kepakaran teknikal. Kajian ini juga menekankan kepentingan peranan pakar forensik digital dalam menilai bukti berasaskan teknologi agar keputusan kehakiman tidak terjejas oleh manipulasi digital atau kelemahan teknikal. Justeru, kajian mencadangkan penambahbaikan melalui pewujudan garis panduan pengesahan teknikal, latihan digital kepada pegawai kehakiman, serta harmonisasi perundangan antara sistem sivil dan Syariah. Implikasi kajian ini diharap dapat memperkukuh integriti sistem perundangan dan memastikan keadilan Islam terpelihara dalam era digital.

Penguatkuasaan perintah nafkah merupakan antara cabaran utama dalam sistem perundangan keluarga Islam di Malaysia, khususnya apabila pihak yang diperintahkan gagal mematuhi arahan mahkamah. Bagi menangani isu ini, Bahagian Sokongan Keluarga (BSK) telah ditubuhkan sebagai mekanisme institusi bagi membantu pelaksanaan dan pemantauan perintah nafkah yang dikeluarkan oleh Mahkamah Syariah. Artikel ini bertujuan mengkaji tanggungjawab nafkah menurut hukum syarak dan undang-undang keluarga Islam di Malaysia Ia juga membincangkan prosedur berkaitan penguatkuasaan perintah nafkah oleh mahkamah syariah dengan memfokuskan kepada perananan Bahagian Sokongan Keluarga (BSK), serta mengenal pasti cabaran yang dihadapi agensi ini dalam pelaksanaannya. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif yang memfokuskan kepada kajian kepustakaan melalui analisis dokumen perundangan, arahan amalan Mahkamah Syariah serta kajian kes dan penulisan terdahulu. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa kewujudan BSK telah memberi impak positif dalam meningkatkan kadar pematuhan perintah nafkah, terutamanya melalui fungsi bantuan interim, rundingan, dan pemantauan berterusan terhadap penghutang nafkah. Namun demikian, kajian ini juga mendapati wujud pelbagai kekangan termasuk keterbatasan kuasa penguatkuasaan, isu ketidakpatuhan berulang, kelewatan proses, serta faktor sosioekonomi pihak yang terlibat. Artikel ini mencadangkan penambahbaikan dari segi pengukuhan kuasa perundangan, penyelarasan antara agensi, serta peningkatan kesedaran masyarakat bagi memastikan hak nafkah isteri dan anak dapat dilindungi secara lebih berkesan dan berterusan.

Kemajuan teknologi digital telah merevolusikan sistem perundangan, terutamanya dalam aspek penerimaan dan penggunaan keterangan dokumen digital di mahkamah. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis secara perbandingan pemakaian keterangan dokumen digital di Mahkamah Sivil dan Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia dengan meneliti rangka kerja perundangan dan prinsip pembuktian yang diguna pakai oleh kedua-dua sistem perundangan tersebut. Metodologi kajian ini dilaksanakan melalui pendekatan kualitatif dengan analisis dokumen terhadap peruntukan undang-undang substantif termasuk Akta Keterangan 1950, Enakmen Keterangan Mahkamah Syariah, serta keputusan-keputusan kes terpilih dari kedua-sistem. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa walaupun kedua-dua sistem mahkamah menerima dokumen digital sebagai alat bukti, terdapat perbezaan signifikan dari segi tahap penerimaan, standard pembuktian, dan prosedur verifikasi ketulenan. Kajian ini juga mendedahkan bahawa integriti keterangan digital semakin terancam dengan kemunculan teknologi Artificial Intelligence (AI) dan deepfake yang mampu memanipulasi elemen multimedia sehingga menyukarkan proses pengesahan kesahihan. Sebagai penutup, kajian ini mencadangkan proses harmoni kerangka perundangan Mahkamah Syariah dengan Akta Keterangan 1950, disertai dengan pemerkasaan garis panduan teknikal untuk pengesahan dokumen digital dan penambahbaikan peruntukan undang-undang khusus bagi menangani cabaran teknologi semasa. Langkah-langkah ini diharapkan dapat memastikan keterangan digital diiktiraf secara konsisten dan efektif di Mahkamah Syariah.

The rapid development of digital technology has significantly transformed the methods of collecting, managing, and evaluating evidence in Syariah criminal proceedings in Malaysia. Electronic evidence—such as messages, digital images, CCTV recordings, metadata, and communication logs—has become an increasingly primary source in the investigation and prosecution of Syariah offences. However, its volatile, easily altered, and highly manipulable nature raises serious concerns regarding authenticity, reliability, and overall evidentiary integrity. The absence of specific statutory provisions on digital evidence under the Syariah Court Evidence Act 1997 [Act 561] further creates a regulatory gap that heightens the potential for shubuhāt (doubt) during the evidentiary process. This article examines how the Chain of Custody (CoC) for digital evidence can serve as an effective forensic–legal framework to enhance the integrity of electronic evidence in Syariah criminal proceedings. Employing a qualitative approach through doctrinal analysis of legal documents and related literature, the study organises its findings according to key analytical themes. The results indicate that the CoC provides a robust scientific and procedural foundation to ensure that digital evidence is handled transparently, accountably, and free from risks of manipulation. The principles underpinning the CoC also align with the Syariah requirements of thubut (certainty of proof), amanah (proper preservation and stewardship of evidence), and ‘adl (justice), thereby making it a relevant mechanism for enhancing the admissibility and probative strength of digital evidence before the Syariah courts. This study contributes to strengthening the evidentiary framework in Syariah law by offering a scientific, forensic, and legal basis for more organised, consistent, and integrity-focused management of digital evidence. The findings further open avenues for the development of Syariah Digital Evidence Guidelines, capacity-building in digital forensic skills among enforcement officers and prosecutors, and further research into automated evidence management mechanisms within the Syariah judicial ecosystem.

Penggunaan gelatin yang semakin meluas dalam pelekat perubatan menimbulkan pelbagai cabaran etika, perundangan dan agama, khususnya berkaitan sumber dan pematuhannya terhadap prinsip Syariah. Seiring dengan kemajuan inovasi bioperubatan, kebimbangan timbul terhadap aspek ketelusan, kebolehkesanan rantaian bekalan, serta jaminan integriti halal dalam bahan berasaskan gelatin. Kertas ini meneliti isu semasa dan jurang dasar dalam pengawal seliaan penggunaan gelatin dalam pelekat perubatan daripada perspektif Syariah dan perundangan. Ia turut meneroka peranan baharu kecerdasan buatan (AI) dan sains forensik dalam mengesahkan asal-usul bahan, meningkatkan kebolehkesanan, serta menyokong proses verifikasi halal berasaskan bukti. Dengan mengintegrasikan rangka kerja etika Islam bersama pemantauan forensik berasaskan AI, kajian ini mencadangkan model tadbir urus yang memupuk inovasi bertanggungjawab, perlindungan pengguna, dan pematuhan terhadap piawaian agama serta bioperubatan. Perbincangan ini menyumbang ke arah pembentukan hala tuju dasar holistik bagi bahan bioperubatan halal dalam era teknologi pintar.

The qualifications of Syarie lawyers play an important role in ensuring the implementation of justice and compliance with Sharia law in Syariah Courts. However, there are significant differences in the administration and regulations related to the qualifications and appointment of Syarie lawyers between states in Malaysia. This study aims to analyze the qualifications of Syarie lawyers in several selected states, identify the challenges that arise from these inconsistencies, and propose solutions to improve the Syarie lawyer administration system. This study uses a qualitative approach by collecting data through library research and interviewing stakeholders, such as Syarie lawyers and academics. The main data sources include books, journals, articles, Arabic books, and relevant state legal provisions. The study’s findings indicates that the qualifications, appointment procedures, and disciplinary actions against Syarie lawyers vary between states. This inconsistency not only creates confusion among prospective Syarie lawyers but also makes it difficult to coordinate efforts at the national level. In addition, this inconsistency affects the efficiency of the Syariah legal system, especially in ensuring high standards of professionalism and integrity among Syarie lawyers. This study proposes the drafting of a standardized rules relating to the qualifications and administration of Syarie lawyers in Malaysia. This rule should cover academic qualifications, appointment procedures, disciplinary control, and establishment of a regulatory body that coordinates all matters related to Syarie lawyers. This step is expected to increase the efficiency of the administration of Syariah law and strengthen the credibility of Syariah institutions in Malaysia.

Kajian ini meneliti cabaran pendakwaan jenayah sihir di Mahkamah Syariah Kelantan berdasarkan kepada perspektif Islam dan perundangan semasa. Umum mengetahui bahawa, terdapat cabaran dalam pendakwaan jenayah sihir atas faktor ketiadaan bukti fizikal dan ia bersifat ghaib. Pendakwaan jenayah sihir di Mahkamah Syariah Kelantan menghadapi kesukaran dalam mencari bahan bukti yang kukuh. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk memahami konsep asas jenayah sihir menurut Islam, mengenal pasti cabaran utama dalam pendakwaan jenayah sihir, dan mencadangkan penambahbaikan pada peruntukan statut jenayah sihir. Metodologi kajian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, melibatkan pengumpulan data melalui temubual, kajian kepustakaan, dan analisis kandungan (jurisprudens Islam). Hasil kajian menunjukkan cabaran utama termasuk ketiadaan peruntukan khas bagi pakatjahat jenayah, kesukaran membuktikan penyubahat dan penyihir, kekangan dalam sistem perundangan dan kehakiman, serta kesukaran dalam menetapkan definisi 'sihir' yang konklusif. Kajian ini mencadangkan pembinaan garis panduan yang standard bagi pembuktian jenayah sihir di Mahkamah Syariah dan penambahbaikan pada peruntukan statut jenayah sihir. Cadangan termasuk penyediaan panduan terperinci untuk hakim syarie dalam menangani kes-kes jenayah sihir. Dengan penambahbaikan ini, dapat meningkatkan kecekapan sistem perundangan Syariah di Malaysia dalam menangani jenayah sihir serta memberi pemahaman yang lebih mendalam kepada pengamal undang-undang dan masyarakat mengenai isu ini.

Kajian ini meneliti kebolehterimaan keterangan saksi kanak-kanak serta peranan mereka dalam prosiding mahkamah di Malaysia. Kewujudan sistem undang-udang dualistik, iaitu undang-undang sivil dan syariah, yang masing-masing mempunyai peruntukan berbeza berkenaan keterangan kanak-kanak, menimbulkan persoalan tentang keseragaman prinsip berkaitan isu ini. Justeru, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kedudukan keterangan saksi kanak-kanak dari perspektif Islam dan seterusnya membandingkan kerangka undang-undangnya di bawah sistem sivil dan syariah. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kualitatif dengan pendekatan analisis dokumen terhadap sumber perundangan primer dan sekunder, termasuk statut, laporan kes, dan karya akademik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa prinsip, klasifikasi, dan kebolehterimaan keterangan saksi kanak-kanak adalah berbeza secara signifikan antara Mahkamah Syariah dan Mahkamah Sivil. Perbezaan ini adalah berpunca daripada perundangan substantif dan prosedural yang berlainan yang diguna pakai oleh setiap mahkamah. Kajian ini merumuskan dengan mencadangkan supaya suatu kerangka perundangan khusus yang komprehensif digubal untuk Mahkamah Syariah. Perundangan baru ini perlu melangkaui aspek kebolehterimaan keterangan semata-mata dengan merangkumi tatacara pembuktian dan mekanisme perlindungan khas untuk saksi kanak-kanak.

This study aims to highlight the role of Sudanese takāyā as key providers and supporters of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by supplying food, clothing, medicines, voluntary donations, and zakat funds in conflict-affected areas experiencing severe cash shortages due to sieges and the displaced population’s fear of ongoing military confrontations. The study addresses the scarcity of adequate financial resources available to support displaced and besieged communities, which adversely affects their ability to move freely, secure livelihoods, and meet their basic needs. Employing a descriptive–analytical approach alongside both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study also analyses the existing literature on takāyā and their role in delivering humanitarian assistance, as well as in strengthening social solidarity, cooperation, compassion, and altruism among besieged populations residing in displacement camps and charitable takāyā shelters. The findings indicate that Sudanese takāyā play a pivotal role in providing food and medicine to displaced persons, thereby alleviating hunger and ensuring the continuity of daily meals, despite the significant challenges faced by those managing the takāyā. Among these challenges are issues related to fundraising, which require greater public awareness and facilitation to enhance donation-collection efforts. The study further demonstrates the moral and psychosocial impact of takāyā administrators in strengthening social bonds among displaced communities in general, and besieged populations in particular, contributing to the formation of cohesive, cooperative, and mutually supportive communities. This spirit of altruism is reflected in the Qur’anic verse: “They give preference to others over themselves, even though they themselves are in need” (Surah Al-Hashr, 59:9), as well as: “And they give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive” (Surah Al-Insān, 76:8). The study concludes that takāyā can serve as an effective financing and support model for displaced populations in similar conflict zones, such as Palestine in general and Gaza in particular, especially under the severe conditions faced by besieged camps. Achieving this requires concerted efforts and cooperation among charitable practitioners, government bodies, and non-governmental humanitarian organizations to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of funding provided to takāyā kitchens.

Ramai yang menganggap bahawa keganasan rumah tangga berlaku secara satu hala, iaitu penderaan suami terhadap isteri. Namun, di sebalik tanggapan tersebut, wujud realiti yang jarang diperkatakan. Penderaan dalam rumah tangga tidak terhad kepada satu pihak sahaja, malah turut melibatkan isteri terhadap suami, sama ada dalam bentuk fizikal, emosi atau psikologi sebagaimana yang dilaporkan oleh media tempatan dan antarabangsa. Dalam konteks dunia yang sedang berdepan dengan cabaran ekonomi termasuk Malaysia iaitu peningkatan kos sara hidup, kadar inflasi yang tinggi serta ketidaktentuan ekonomi telah memberi tekanan besar kepada institusi keluarga khususnya terhadap tanggungjawab suami sebagai pemimpin keluarga dan penyumbang utama kepada kestabilan ekonomi rumah. Fenomena keganasan rumah tangga terhadap suami ini kurang mendapat perhatian daripada pelbagai pihak dan kurang dibincangkan sedangkan ia berlaku. Statistik yang diperoleh juga menunjukkan bahawa antara punca utama kejadian ini berpunca daripada isu nafkah dan tekanan kewangan. Justeru, kajian ini dijalankan bagi meneliti bagaimana Islam melihat keganasan yang dilakukan oleh isteri terhadap suami serta peranan institusi berkaitan dalam mengatasi perkara ini. Dalam kajian ini, penyelidik menggunakan kaedah kualitatif berasaskan analisis konseptual terhadap sumber fiqh klasik dan kontemporari, jurnal akademik, laporan akhbar serta data institusi berkaitan bagi merungkai permasalahan tersebut. Dapatan kajian ini diharapkan dapat membuka ruang kesedaran baharu bahawa keganasan terhadap suami juga merupakan satu bentuk kezaliman yang mesti ditangani secara adil dan berhemah menurut prinsip Fiqh Islam dan Maqasid al-Syariah demi memelihara kesejahteraan keluarga serta keharmonian masyarakat dalam suasana ekonomi semasa negara

The mandible is one of the bones that have special characteristics in comparison to other bones. The mandible is the strongest bone on the face and an important part of the forensic profile. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the morphology of the mandible body related to age and sex in children used on the panoramic radiograph. Eight anatomical landmarks were digitised on 305 panoramic radiographs (159 male and 146 female) using TPSdig2 software. The shape data were analysed with MorphoJ using Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA), and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). The shape and size differences were tested by Procrustes ANOVA. Two groups (G1 male and G2 female) were used for the determination of sex, while three age groups (3 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 years) were tested for age prediction. Morphological variation was visualised with wireframe and lollipop diagrams. The total shape variation was explained by the first four principal components (PC1–PC4) covering 82%. DFA accuracy to classify sex was 64.15% (G1) and 67.12% (G2), and of cross validation was 61.63%, and 63.69%. Inequalities based on age group were generally more accurate: 81 to 87% (Age Group 1) and even up to 93.68% for the older subgroups. Procrustes ANOVA revealed no difference in centroid size for the sexes, but significant differences in shape (p < 0.001). Shape and size variations were both significant between age groups (p < 0.001). Geometric morphometric techniques can demonstrate discriminatory features in mandibular body shape for age and sex. It's a useful screening tool for forensics in cases involving children.

This study aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence and dating apps on young people's views of marriage, focusing on the opportunities and challenges associated with digital relationships. The findings suggest that these tools offer youth new ways to connect emotionally, discover themselves, and expand their choices beyond traditional social frameworks. This can help reduce feelings of loneliness and support personal growth. However, the study also reveals potential risks, including weakened real human relationships, distortion of natural desire, and excessive reliance on virtual partners. These factors may lead to decisions that conflict with social values and delay marriage. Privacy and social reputation may also be at risk, and psychological stress can increase due to the abundance of choices and difficulty in decision-making. The results also indicate that recommendation systems and algorithms in dating apps can be beneficial if guided by ethical and legal frameworks, supporting decision-making autonomy and reducing digital risks. The study concludes that AI is a double-edged sword, offering opportunities for social interaction and personal development. Still, it may weaken autonomy and hinder emotional commitment if not used in a balanced way. This study also examines the impact of artificial intelligence and dating applications on young people’s perceptions of marriage, using a framework that integrates social analysis with an Islamic perspective grounded in the objectives of Shariah. highlighting the need for an ethical and Shariah-aligned approach to ensure balanced and responsible use. The study recommends raising awareness and promoting responsible use of AI in social relationships and marriage to ensure that technology enhances personal and social stability rather than creating new challenges.

This article examines the arbitration agreement as the cornerstone of the arbitration system under UAE Federal Arbitration Law No. 6 of 2018. It analyses the conceptual framework and legal nature of the arbitration agreement, its formal and substantive validity requirements, as well as the legal effects arising therefrom and the limits of judicial intervention. The study adopts an analytical legal approach based on the interpretation of statutory provisions, supported by doctrinal analysis and relevant judicial trends in the UAE, viewed in light of comparative arbitration standards. The article argues that the UAE legislator has adopted a balanced regulatory approach that strengthens party autonomy while subjecting the arbitration agreement to limited judicial control aimed at safeguarding public policy and fundamental procedural guarantees. It further demonstrates that the effectiveness of arbitration depends not only on the legislative framework, but also on the precision and clarity of drafting arbitration agreements, particularly with regard to their scope, in order to minimise procedural disputes and enhance confidence in arbitration as an effective dispute resolution mechanism.

This study examines the administrative protection of personal data within a comparative framework between national legislation in the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt and international governance principles. This study examines the growing strategic importance of data as a fundamental pillar of the digital economy and a sensitive area of ​​human rights. The study adopted a comparative analytical approach supported by critical institutional analysis, where Federal Decree-Law No. (45) of 2021 in the UAE and Law No. (151) of 2020 in Egypt were analyzed and compared with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which constitutes the most advanced model globally. The results showed that Emirati legislation is characterized by comprehensiveness and the recognition of direct individual rights such as the right to rectification, erasure, and objection, while Egyptian legislation focused on an institutional approach by establishing a Personal Data Protection Center with broad licensing and oversight powers. Despite this divergence in legislative philosophy, the study reveals that both models face similar challenges, namely the weak independence of administrative bodies, insufficient technical capabilities, and limited administrative penalties compared to the stringency of European sanctions, which impose strict and deterrent obligations on violating institutions. It also reveals that governance principles such as transparency, accountability, and fairness are partially reflected in legal texts but have not yet been transformed into integrated institutional practices capable of ensuring compliance. The study concludes that administrative protection in the UAE and Egypt is still in its infancy, requiring legislative and institutional reforms, most notably strengthening the independence of oversight bodies, enhancing the level of penalties to be deterrent, developing human and technical capabilities, and activating regional and international cooperation to address cross-border challenges. The study thus provides a scholarly contribution that fills a gap in the Arab literature and links national protection with international governance standards.

This study examines the necessity of implementing written examinations and interviews in the appointment process of Syarie lawyers in Malaysia. The Syarie legal profession plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of litigants in the Syariah Courts and ensuring that justice is upheld in accordance with Islamic law. However, inconsistencies in the qualification requirements—particularly written tests and interviews across different states have resulted in varying assessment standards and hindered the mobility of Syarie lawyers to practise in multiple jurisdictions. The key question that arises is whether a standardized system is needed to strengthen the integrity of the Syarie legal profession and enhance public confidence in the Islamic judicial institution. Accordingly, the objectives of this study are to identify the concept of Syarie lawyer appointments based on statutory provisions and Islamic principles, to assess the current implementation of written examinations and interviews, and to propose improvements to address existing inconsistencies. This research adopts a qualitative doctrinal approach through a comprehensive literature analysis of enactments, appointment procedures, books, academic articles, and journals. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain empirical insights from officers and practitioners within the Syariah legal field. The findings reveal substantial differences among states in determining examination and interview requirements, resulting in inconsistent assessment standards and confusion among prospective candidates. The study proposes a standardised guideline covering aspects such as scoring methods, examination content, categories of candidates required to sit for written tests, and the publication of past examination questions as official references. Overall, this study contributes towards strengthening a more transparent and harmonised appointment system for Syarie lawyers nationwide, without undermining the jurisdictional authority of individual states. In conclusion, standardisation is deemed an essential step to ensure that the Syarie legal profession remains credible, respected, and continues to serve as a pillar of justice within Malaysia’s Islamic legal system.

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous sectors, including the legal domain, offering enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and transparency in judicial administration. However, within the context of the Sharīʿah judiciary, its adoption raises ethical and jurisprudential concerns regarding the admissibility, authenticity, and moral legitimacy of AI-generated outcomes. Grounded in the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah—the higher objectives of Islamic law—this study examines how AI can be ethically integrated into the Sharīʿah judicial process without compromising the principles of justice (al-ʿadl), truth (al-ḥaqq), and public welfare (jalb al-maṣlaḥah). Employing a qualitative and doctrinal approach, the research analyses classical jurisprudential sources, contemporary scholarly discourse, and emerging technological practices related to digital evidence and judicial automation. The findings reveal that AI holds significant potential in three primary dimensions: as a supportive tool in the authentication and evaluation of evidence; as a facilitative mechanism in ijtihād qaḍāʾī (judicial reasoning); and as an administrative instrument ensuring procedural integrity through digital forensic verification. These applications are aligned with the objectives of ḥifẓ al-dīn, ḥifẓ al-ʿaql, and ḥifẓ al-māl, ensuring that technological innovation serves the preservation of ethical and legal order in Islamic adjudication. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive ethical and regulatory framework for AI governance in Sharīʿah courts and recommends additional empirical research to evaluate its judicial effectiveness.

Malaysia adopts a dual judicial system which separates the jurisdiction of the Civil Courts and the Syariah Courts as provided under the Federal Constitution. This division is primarily based on Article 121(1A) and the State List in the Ninth Schedule, which empowers the State Legislative Assemblies to enact laws relating to Islamic affairs. However, in practice, the separation is not without overlap, particularly in matters involving religious status, marriage and divorce, child custody, and Syariah criminal offences. Such overlap arises when the jurisdictional conditions of the Syariah Courts—namely that the parties must be Muslims and the subject matter must fall within Paragraph 1 of the State List—intersect or conflict with the jurisdiction of the Civil Courts. This has led the Courts, especially the Federal Court, to resolve interpretative conflicts through case law, as seen in Latifah bte Mat Zin, Indira Gandhi, Iki Putra Mubarrak and Nik Elin Zurina. This study examines the historical basis of the judicial division, clarifies the jurisdictional scope of both Courts, evaluates the issues of overlap that arise, and proposes recommendations for harmonising the judicial system to ensure clarity, coherence, and effective administration of justice in Malaysia’s plural society.