JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED SCIENCES

THE PARADOX OF ISLAMIC REFORM: AN EXAMINATION OF THE SACRILEGE OF THE LEGACIES OF IBN TAYMIYYAH AND MUHAMMAD IBN ABD AL-WAHHĀB

2025-04-08T20:07:19+00:00

This article examines the significant legacies of two prolific Islamic scholars in the field of Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhāb, and the sentiments and controversies surrounding their standpoints, values and initiatives. Known for their unyielding advocacy of monotheism (Tawḥīd), these scholars sought to purify Islamic practice from innovations they viewed as contrary to Islamic doctrine. Their direction shaped the Islamic tracts in their contemporary times and the decades to come. However, these Islamic theologians have famously come under scrutiny for their efforts in cleansing the concept of Tawḥīd from blemished perceptions which undermined its adherence in the Muslim masses. Conversely, it is evident under examination that their life struggles were marked by clear contradictions and complex paradox of their legacy. This exposition discusses the reforms they stood and struggled for and examines and reflects upon how the very practices they vehemently opposed were surprisingly evident in the actions of their followers and the criticism which stains their stances. Despite their efforts, posthumous actions by followers often contradicted their teachings. Through historical analysis, this paper examines the theological and social complexities in their reformist missions, particularly the irony surrounding practices following Ibn Taymiyyah’s funeral and the intra-family opposition faced by Abd al-Wahhāb. The contradictory relationship between doctrine and practice has been the subject of extensive debate within Islamic scholarship. By investigating these cases, the study aims to understand the cultural and psychological factors that shape religious adherence and the perpetuation of practices that conflict with strict doctrinal beliefs.

THE USE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN TEACHING ARABIC IN ISLAMIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GHANA

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

This paper seeks to explore the use of English language in teaching Arabic in Islamic secondary schools in Ghana. Two (2) research questions were raised and answered with 2 hypotheses in the study. A descriptive research design is used. The population comprises Arabic teachers in Islamic secondary schools in Ghana. The study utilizes a quantitative method of data collection and the data collected is analyzed using percentage and t-tests. A questionnaire was used for data collection with a reliability value of 0.87. The results showed that the use of the English language in teaching Arabic is low, and obstacles faced by Arabic teachers in using English to teach Arabic are high. Also, there was no significant difference in the use of English language in teaching Arabic and in the obstacles faced by Arabic teachers in using English to teach Arabic in Islamic secondary schools on the basis of gender. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Arabic teachers need more capacity building in finding a remedy to the problems faced by students for quality Arabic language acquisition in Ghana.

UNRWA & WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN IN GAZA (OCT 2023–FEB 2025): OPERATIONS, POLITICAL TARGETING, AND HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

This study provides a qualitative chronological overview of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and World Central Kitchen (WCK), focusing on their status, political targeting, and current operations from October 7, 2023, to February 10, 2025, in Gaza, Palestine. It examines the historical context of Palestinian displacement following the Nakba in 1948, which led to the creation of UNRWA to address the humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing due to decades of foreign occupation, displacement, and ethnic cleansing. A qualitative review of primary reports by international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and The United Nations, scholarly sources, and gray media reports on the funding and operational status of UNRWA and WCK before October 2023, emphasizing their reliance on voluntary government contributions, were explored. The study details the political and military targeting of both organizations since October 2023, including false allegations and deliberate attacks on aid workers in Gaza linked to human rights violations and war crimes such as systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide committed by Israeli occupation forces. Thematic analysis also links the recent defunding of UNWRA by the United States to the history and future of U.S. foreign policy on Palestine. The findings and conclusion of this study emphasize the urgent need for international support to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, fund humanitarian efforts, and for highly developed countries stemming from United States influence and policy to shift to recognize Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination in Gaza and greater Palestine.

EXPLORING THE DIMENSIONS OF SERVICE QUALITY IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TOWARDS MUSLIM FRIENDLY HOTELS IN MALAYSIA

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

The rising demand for Muslim-friendly hospitality, mainly in hotel services has a substantial impact on our tourism industry. Most Muslim guests prefer to stay at Muslim-friendly hotels because they provide the services and facilities for Muslim guests to practice their religion as well as enjoy their stay. A highly satisfied customer with excellent service quality provided by the hotel will be influenced to choose the same hotel for their next visit. Given the limited studies of the service quality in Muslim-friendly hotels, the present study was carried out to explore the dimensions of service quality in customer satisfaction towards the hotels that provide Muslim-friendly services in Malaysia. A quantitative study in this research utilized a convenience sampling method. The respondents were among 461 Muslims in Klang Valley area that had stayed at hotels offering Muslim-friendly services in Malaysia. To address the research objective, the data was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Based on the EFA, the finding revealed five dimensions of service quality, namely: tangibles reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy that have a positive influence on customer satisfaction.

EXPLORING HYGIENIC PRACTICES WITHIN THE REGION ONE EDUCATION DIRECTORATE: AN IN-DEPTH EXAMINATION OF LOWER AND UPPER BASIC SCHOOLS IN THE GAMBIA

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

This research focuses on assessing hygiene practices at the Lower and Upper Basic levels in the Region One Education Directorate of The Gambia. The objective is to identify areas for improvement and develop effective strategies to promote and maintain proper hygiene among students and staff. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design, collecting data from headteachers through face-to-face interactions using a questionnaire. A sample of 74 schools was randomly selected from a population of 195 schools in the region. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software, and the findings were presented through visual representations. The research reveals significant challenges related to water, hygiene, and sanitation in the schools studied. Lack of proper handwashing facilities, limited availability of soap, and unsanitary toilet conditions were prevalent issues. Water scarcity and inadequate supplies were also identified as challenges, requiring alternative sources for water provision. These findings emphasize the urgent need for improved water infrastructure, enhanced handwashing facilities, provision of soap, proper toilet maintenance, and collaboration among stakeholders. The results of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, education authorities, and relevant stakeholders to implement targeted interventions and improve hygiene practices in schools within the Region One Education Directorate and potentially inform similar efforts in other regions or countries facing similar challenges.

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS TRADING AND RURAL LIVELIHOOD SUSTENANCE IN IBADAN STATE OF NIGERIA

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

The study on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) trading in the Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, was carried out to encourage sustainable forest management. All registered NTFP marketers in selected markets were the target respondents. A total of 125 questionnaires were distributed, 65 in Bodija and 60 in Oje. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgeting techniques. The results showed that the majority of the respondents were male (58.4%), aged 31- 40 years (36.0%), and married (93.6%), and 32.8% had a family of 3-4 members. In terms of education, 59.2% of respondents had secondary education, while 77.6% were native speakers. The main occupation was trading in NTFPs, with 43.2%, and 52.8% had between 11-20 years of experience. The variety of NTFPs being marketed include; honey, bitter kola, locust beans, dika nuts, and walnuts. The highest average ranking for locust beans was 0.96 in Oje, while kola nuts had the highest average ranking of 0.96 in Bodija. The benefit-cost ratio was 1.54 and 1.67 in Bodija and Oje markets, respectively, showing that for every ₦1 spent, 54kobo was earned by traders in Bodija and 67kobo in Oje. The main challenges facing NTFPs are government policies, inadequate social infrastructure, bad road network, scarcity of NTFPs, and overexploitation of NTFPs, with 100% each. Sustainable forest management practices should be adopted as a developmental strategy to ensure the continuous supply of NTFPs in the study area.

EFFECT OF PLANTATION DENSITY ON WOOD DENSITY AND SELECTED ANATOMICAL PROPERTIES OF Tectona grandis L. f. WOOD

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

This study investigated the effects of plantation density on the wood density and anatomical properties of Tectona grandis from free areas and forest plantations. T. grandis trees were felled from forest plantation and free area to obtained bolts of 50 cm in length from base, middle and top of the felled trees representing 10, 50 and 90 % of the merchantable height respectively and discs were obtained from each zone and portioned into inner, middle and outer wood. The samples obtained were subjected to physical properties test (moisture and density) and selected anatomical properties (fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen width, and cell wall thickness, ray height and ray width). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at 0.05. Results showed that fiber anatomical characteristics, including fiber length (1.03–1.46 mm), fiber diameter (21.32–27.45 µm), cell wall thickness (6.18–8.54 µm), and lumen width (11.27–16.32 µm), were not significantly influenced by plantation density, indicating a genetic control over these traits. In contrast, wood density showed notable variation, with free area samples averaging 0.79 g/cm³ compared to 0.69 g/cm³ for forest plantations. This disparity reflects differences in plantation spacing and growth rates. These findings suggest that while plantation density has limited impact on anatomical properties, it influences wood density, which may affect the suitability of T. grandis for various applications. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impacts of extreme densities on wood properties under diverse environmental conditions.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF Terminalia superba (Engl. & Diel) SAWN WOOD IN SELECTED PLANK MARKETS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

2025-04-08T20:07:20+00:00

This study evaluated the socio-economic impact and uses of Terminalia superba in selected plank markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. The research was conducted across four purposively selected Local Government Areas (LGAs): Egbeda, Ibadan South-West, Ibadan North-West, and Oluyole. A total of 149 respondents were randomly selected, and well-structured questionnaires were administered to collect primary data. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) analysis. A significant proportion of respondents were middle-aged, with men (57%) being more involved in the business than women (43%). Marital status data indicated that 91.3% of the respondents were married, and the predominant age group engaged in the sawmilling business was between 31 and 40 years. The findings revealed that T. superba is predominantly utilized for roofing, medicinal purposes, furniture, molding, and paper-making in the study areas. The business plays a vital role in providing employment, enhancing local income, improving living standards, and increasing the availability of the product in the local market. The benefit-cost analysis of the T. superba business revealed a favorable BCR of 1.84, indicating that for every ₦1 invested, an additional ₦0.87 is earned as profit, signifying a profitable venture. However, several constraints were identified, including long distances to the source of saw logs (98.6%), price fluctuations (95.3%), and poor road infrastructure leading to the forest (93.2%), all of which hindered the smooth operation of the business. The study also highlighted that T. superba contributes to sustainable forest management (SFM) by promoting reforestation and enhancing the availability of the product in local markets. Based on these findings, the study recommends that government and policymakers encourage the reafforestation of T. superba while supporting the industry through policies that promote sustainable forest management practices, skills development, and improved market access.