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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of the mosque library in Upper Egypt as an Islamic information institution.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of the mosque library in Upper Egypt as an Islamic information institution.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative approach in the form of a structured interview, which was carried out between July and August of 2020. As possible, the researcher surveyed all mosques in Upper Egypt equipped with libraries (n = 57).
Findings
The most important collections of the mosque library were found to be books, rare books, Qur’anic interpretations, jurisprudential volumes, hadiths of the Prophet, biographies, orientalist books, references, manuscripts and bibliographies. The services provided are developing awareness, lending, indexing and abstracting. The activities practiced are hosting school students to visit the library, holding educational seminars and hosting scholars and thinkers. The lack of specialized classification schemes in organizing Islamic subjects, lack of financial allocations, failure to update collections and lack of digital technology were found to be significant challenges faced by mosque libraries in Upper Egypt.
Originality/value
The role of the mosque library extended to enhance the religious background of the worshipers and provide them with different and appropriate sources of information, not only regarding the Islamic religion but also regarding knowledge and other topics.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the problems of classification, to discover the classification practices of libraries with rich collections on Islam cited…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the problems of classification, to discover the classification practices of libraries with rich collections on Islam cited in the literature, to find the gaps, and to determine the point from which to start work on further development.
Design/methodology/approach
Published and unpublished literature, both print and electronic, that is relevant to the problem was reviewed objectively in the compilation of this paper.
Findings
Standard classification systems lack proper space for materials on Islam for two reasons: less awareness on the part of devisers of the depth and variety of Islamic topics; and their bias and lack of interest in Islam. Different indigenous classification systems and expansions have been developed, using either the original notation or alternative notations. Some systems have been developed without following any standards or logic. This study has revealed a need for empirical study of libraries with rich collections on Islam in order to gain a better understanding of the problem and find an optimal solution.
Research limitations/implications
No empirical field data are included in this study. This is a review of the literature.
Originality/value
The author indicates the current situation of the problem and a potential framework for its solution.
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Classification systems play a fundamental role in the organization, display, retrieval and access to the knowledge materials in libraries. These systems have served the purpose…
Abstract
Purpose
Classification systems play a fundamental role in the organization, display, retrieval and access to the knowledge materials in libraries. These systems have served the purpose adequately in most of knowledge areas; nevertheless, some grey areas lack proper place and enumeration in these systems. Islamic knowledge is among the areas that have not been properly addressed. The purpose of this paper is to examine this problem and indicate a potential solution.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper expands on the author's earlier research which focused on Pakistan library collections. Empirical data have been collected from 16 LIS scholars who have interest in or expertise on this issue through interviews. Scholars are from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, the USA and Canada. A review of the literature is also presented.
Findings
A number of approaches have been taken to work around the deficiencies of the standard classification systems when it comes to Islamic knowledge and publications, including indigenous systems and expansions. Details of some of these are presented. A range of possible improvements to existing classification systems was suggested by scholars, and an outline of what is required in a new, independent system is discussed, along with ideas about the best way for this system to be developed.
Originality/value
The paper discusses an area of professional concern that has been discussed widely in Islamic countries, but only in a limited fashion outside of Islamic countries. Thus, the paper should be of interest to researchers and practitioners interested in cataloguing and classification theory.
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Haroon Idrees and Khalid Mahmood
The purpose of this paper is to draw an exact and accurate picture of classification problems being faced by libraries having a reasonable amount of collections on Islam…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to draw an exact and accurate picture of classification problems being faced by libraries having a reasonable amount of collections on Islam. Different classification systems have been developed during the last two centuries to organize library materials. Where these systems provided libraries with better solution for organization of materials, the systems have also some limitations. Religious materials are one of the areas where these systems could not satisfy a reasonable number of libraries. The libraries that have rich collections on Islam are also facing such problems. This study has been conducted with the aim of addressing this problem.
Design/methodology/approach
The study comprises a precise review of literature relevant to this problem, along with the collection and analysis of data from such libraries from all the main cities of Pakistan. The data have been collected using the interview technique.
Findings
The review of literature and empirical data collected for this study show that the libraries are facing problems regarding the classification of materials where there are rich collections on Islam. The standard classification systems have not provided proper place and enumeration to Islamic topics in their schemes. There is no standard or uniform practice among the libraries to classify materials on Islam. Different libraries are using different systems, which has resulted placement of same materials at different locations. There is no coordination among libraries having rich collections on Islam for some common plan of action to resolve the problem in hand. No work on automated classification has been done in Pakistan so far and this is the area that needs working on in the future.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focusses on materials in libraries in one country only, however highlights issues relevant to other Islamic countries in organizing such materials.
Originality/value
The paper discusses an area of professional concern that has been discussed widely in Islamic countries, but only in a limited fashion outside of Islamic countries. Thus the paper should be of interest to researchers and practioners interested in cataloging theory.
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Yushiana Mansor and Younis Ahmad Ismā‘īl al‐Shawābikah
Professional cataloguers working in ten university libraries in Jordan, Malaysia, and United Arab Emirates were interviewed with the aim of investigating their perceptions on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Professional cataloguers working in ten university libraries in Jordan, Malaysia, and United Arab Emirates were interviewed with the aim of investigating their perceptions on the new Library of Congress classification's Subclass KBP for Islamic law (IL).
Design/methodology/approach
Specific aspects investigated were accessibility and user satisfaction, clarity of terms, ease of use, inclusiveness and comprehensiveness, modernism and innovation, and systematic arrangement and relationships.
Findings
Three aspects received positive feedbacks from respondents. It is also evident that cataloguers’ familiarity with and skills in applying the Subclass KBP should be improved to ensure effective use of the scheme.
Practical implications
The decision on whether or not to apply the new KBP schedule represents a great challenge for those libraries around the world especially those in the Arab/Islamic countries. In the light of the decision of the LC to apply the newly developed Subclass KBP for IL, libraries are now facing a new challenge and have to decide on the implementation of the new schedule.
Originality value
Deals with issues that need to be more clearly understood in the West.
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Hafiz Habib-ur-Rehman, Haroon Idrees and Ahsan Ullah
Deeni Madaris of Pakistan and their libraries are playing an important role in educating the large fraction of society. They have always been engaged in the development of social…
Abstract
Purpose
Deeni Madaris of Pakistan and their libraries are playing an important role in educating the large fraction of society. They have always been engaged in the development of social and cultural values of the Pakistani society. This study aims to investigate the organization of information resources and their utilization at Deeni Madaris libraries in the central Punjab, Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. A questionnaire was developed on the bases of related literature and discussions with experts of librarianship as well as Islamic studies in Pakistan. The questionnaire was sent to 49 Deeni Madaris, of which five did not have libraries and four did not respond. Forty (81.6 per cent) Deeni Madaris responded and provided the relevant data about their libraries. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS 22. Mostly descriptive statistics were applied to calculate the frequencies, percentage, means and standard deviations. A two-tailed t-test was applied to check the impact of cataloguing and automation on the use of information resources.
Findings
It was found that majority of the respondents developed their own classification and cataloguing methods for the organization of information resources and did not have a proper retrieval system. Majority of the respondents were providing lending services to readers. Teachers and final-year students were the key users of the libraries. They mostly referred to books, theses and serials written in Urdu and Arabic language. The situation of library computerization was very weak; only 19 libraries had computers and 11 of them have partially automated the library activities. Library automation and catalogue put positive effects on the use of library resources.
Originality/value
The exploration of the literature showed that libraries of Madaris in Pakistan have always been a priority, but these libraries did not get a position in the library literature as they deserve. This study will fill this gap.
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Nasrun Mohamad and Asmak Ab Rahman
This paper aims to present the results of a comprehensive literature review with regard to the application of Tawarruq in the Islamic banking system covering the period between…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the results of a comprehensive literature review with regard to the application of Tawarruq in the Islamic banking system covering the period between 2011 and before. The review aims to synthesize the previous research, capsulize the structural overview inasmuch as future research might be oriented and identify the gaps and direction for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
A range of published and unpublished documents was collated and filtered based on the defined rules to identify the determinants of the writing. The documents were then be classified into few segments in which content analysis was conducted to capsulize the essence of the subject matter described in the literature.
Findings
The analysis demonstrates that most of the studies discussed the fundamental theories which concerning the area of jurisprudence, while a few of them did discuss the application aspect in the banking environment. However, none of the operational process is discussed in-depth, whereas the risk of Shari’ah non-compliance might arise in the detail transaction.
Research limitations/implications
The databases used in the search might not contain all the documents that could be relevant for the review. Furthermore, the defined-rule for document searching and selection excluded the out-of-scope documents that might be relevant.
Originality/value
This paper identifies the gaps that become apparent in the literature in assisting researchers to ascertain the interesting areas as well as the direction for future research.
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Hasan Buabbas, Benachir Medjdoub and Yacine Rezgui
The purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer picture of the first establishment of school libraries in Kuwait. In addition, the paper explores the development of the school…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a clearer picture of the first establishment of school libraries in Kuwait. In addition, the paper explores the development of the school library between 1911 and 1962.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a qualitative research strategy. The interviews and documentation techniques have been utilized to gather data about the subject.
Findings
The findings traced the first appearance of the school library in Kuwait back to 1944. It showed that the development of the library encountered major difficulties.
Originality/value
The unique study reveals a branch of Kuwaiti education history hitherto concealed from its people, where the recognition of other disciplines in the field and the need for further study emerges.
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Hajira Liaqat, Ishfaq Ahmed and Sheikh Usman Yousaf
This study aims to explore the phenomenon of Islamic religious communication and how Islamic banks in Pakistan use religion-based communication, along with its expected outcomes.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the phenomenon of Islamic religious communication and how Islamic banks in Pakistan use religion-based communication, along with its expected outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Transcendental phenomenology approach is opted using a multi-stage data collection strategy consisting of observations, documentary reviews and semi-structural interviews to get deep into the phenomenon in a particular context.
Findings
Findings highlight Islamic religious communication as workplace Islamic da’wah that is majorly categorized into compulsive da’wah, objectics da’wah and impulsive da’wah, serving its role in bringing spirituality to work through work-faith integration.
Research limitations/implications
The finding of the study can be used in planning, formulating and implementing Islamic da’wah-based model to induce spirituality at work.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its type exploring Islamic da’wah in an organizational context as a mean to bring spirituality at work.
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Describes the library and information science education through the distance teaching system offered by Allama Iqbal Open University in Pakistan. The only open university in the…
Abstract
Describes the library and information science education through the distance teaching system offered by Allama Iqbal Open University in Pakistan. The only open university in the country has offered Certificate and Bachelor’s programmes in the subject since 1988 and is planning to offer Master’s and some other advanced programmes in the future. The paper presents a brief history of the University and the establishment of the Department of Library and Information Sciences. Syllabi and objectives of various LIS courses are provided. The system of education, including admissions, study materials, regional services, tutors, study centres, assignments and examination is also described. Enrolment data up to spring 1996 are analyzed (by area and gender). Opinions of senior library professionals in the country about these LIS courses are also cited.
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