Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization

Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization is an open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal that explores the rich and diverse heritage of Islamic civilization. The journal provides a platform for scholars, historians, and researchers to examine the historical, cultural, social, and intellectual contributions of the Islamic world to global civilization. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of Islamic thought, culture, and achievements from classical to modern times. The journal focuses on a wide range of topics within Islamic civilization including but not limited to Islamic History, Islamic social movements, Islamic Thought, Philosophy, Cultural, Islam and gender, Islam and media, Islam and democracy, Social Contributions, Islam and radicalism, Islam and human rights, Islam and digital society, Islam and poverty, Science and Innovation in Islam, Islamic Law, Governance and Intercultural Exchanges. en-US Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 3.2.1.4 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Negotiating Faith and Equality: Muslim Women’s Movements and Gender Justice in the 21st Century https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/47 The question of faith and gender equality remains one of the most contested debates in contemporary Muslim societies. As globalization, human rights discourse, and modern socio-political demands intensify, Muslim women’s movements have emerged as transformative forces negotiating the complex balance between religious commitment and the pursuit of justice. These movements are not simply oppositional to patriarchal interpretations but instead engage in critical reinterpretation of sacred texts to reclaim women’s agency within Islam, demonstrating that gender justice and faith can be mutually reinforcing. This study employs a qualitative research design, combining feminist methodology with hermeneutical analysis to capture both the lived experiences of activists and the intellectual traditions underpinning their work. Data are drawn from semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, supported by secondary sources such as religious texts, organizational reports, and scholarly writings. Thematic and hermeneutical analyses are applied to identify recurring patterns in activism and interpretation. The results highlight four key dimensions: first, diverse perceptions of gender justice, with many respondents linking equality to Islamic principles of justice and compassion; second, strategies employed, ranging from textual reinterpretation and legal advocacy to grassroots mobilization and digital activism; third, significant achievements in family law reforms, educational access, and women’s leadership; and fourth, persistent challenges, including resistance from conservative authorities, political restrictions, cultural norms, and global misrepresentation. The research concludes that Muslim women’s movements represent a dynamic negotiation of faith and equality. By grounding activism in Islam while advancing reform, they offer an inclusive framework that fosters both justice and democratic participation in the 21st century. Annisa Putri Copyright (c) 2025 Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/47 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Revisiting Classical Islamic Philosophy: Ibn Rushd’s Rationalism and its Relevance to Contemporary thought https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/46 The study of classical Islamic philosophy provides critical insight into the intellectual heritage of the Muslim world and its contemporary significance. Among its most influential figures, Ibn Rushd (Averroes, 1126–1198) is recognized for his rationalist approach, his attempt to harmonize reason with revelation, and his defense of philosophy as a legitimate path to truth. His contributions not only shaped Islamic thought but also influenced Western scholasticism, making his rationalism a bridge between civilizations. This research adopts a qualitative philosophical design with a historical-analytical and hermeneutical approach. Primary data were drawn from Ibn Rushd’s seminal works such as Tahafut al-Tahafut, Fasl al-Maqal, and Bidayat al-Mujtahid, while secondary sources included scholarly studies on his intellectual impact. Data collection involved document and comparative literature analysis, and interpretation was conducted through hermeneutical, critical, and thematic analysis to explore the relevance of Ibn Rushd’s rationalism in modern contexts. The findings reveal that Ibn Rushd’s rationalism reconciles faith and reason, providing a framework for dialogue between revelation and critical inquiry. His philosophy is recognized as highly relevant for education, fostering critical thinking and balanced curricula. Additionally, his role in transmitting Aristotelian philosophy highlights the interconnectedness of Islamic and Western traditions, challenging the notion of a civilizational divide. Respondents also identified the socio-political relevance of his rationalist ethics in justice, governance, and human rights. The study concludes that Ibn Rushd’s philosophy remains vital for contemporary debates on modernity, pluralism, and democracy. However, its application is constrained by limited awareness, traditionalist resistance, and underrepresentation in education, underscoring the need for renewed scholarly and institutional engagement. Helmi Azisah, Sumiati Mansur Copyright (c) 2025 Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/46 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Islam and Media Narratives in the Representation of Muslim Identity in the Digital Age https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/44 This article examines how Muslim identity is represented in the digital age through the competing narratives of mainstream and digital media. Using a qualitative approach and critical discourse analysis, it explores media texts from international news outlets alongside digital content such as hashtags, influencer posts, and user-generated media. The findings reveal three main dynamics. First, mainstream outlets continue to reproduce Orientalist stereotypes, often framing Muslims within narratives of extremism, security threats, and cultural incompatibility. Second, digital platforms provide spaces for counter-narratives, where Muslims reclaim their voices, normalize everyday practices, and foster transnational solidarity through what has been called a “digital ummah.” Third, hybrid identities emerge at the intersection of religion, modernity, and consumer culture, blending Islamic symbols with popular culture but also raising concerns about commodification and authenticity. These dynamics show that Muslim identity in digital spaces cannot be reduced to either victimhood or resistance; rather, it is shaped by ongoing negotiations between agency, representation, and structural constraints. While digital platforms expand opportunities for visibility and self-representation, they also reproduce hierarchies of power through algorithmic bias, commercialization, and geopolitics. The study underscores the need to view digital media as both a site of empowerment and a terrain of struggle over Muslim identity. Nur Diananingsih Copyright (c) 2025 Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/44 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Islam and Democracy in Southeast Asia through a Comparative Study of Indonesia and Malaysia https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/45 The relationship between Islam and democracy has been a central topic of debate, particularly in Southeast Asia where Muslim-majority societies engage with diverse political systems. Indonesia and Malaysia provide valuable comparative cases, as both nations attempt to harmonize Islamic traditions with democratic governance. While Indonesia embraces pluralism under the framework of Pancasila, Malaysia constitutionally elevates Islam within a semi-democratic context, resulting in differing models of democratic practice. This study employed a comparative qualitative research design to analyze the interaction between Islam and democracy in both countries. Data were collected through document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and secondary sources such as international indexes and academic studies. Thematic and comparative analysis were used to identify patterns across governance, institutional trust, civil society participation, and the role of religion in politics. The findings reveal clear contrasts: Indonesians demonstrate stronger democratic attachment (72.4%), higher trust in elections and parliament, and more vibrant civil society participation. In contrast, Malaysians exhibit more cautious support for democracy (58.3%), lower institutional trust, and stronger demands for embedding Islam into state governance. Challenges also diverge—Indonesia struggles with corruption while Malaysia faces constraints related to ethnic-religious politics and restrictions on freedom of speech. In conclusion, the study shows that Islam does not inherently hinder democracy; rather, the democratic trajectory in each country is shaped by historical legacies, political structures, and governance practices. Indonesia represents a more consolidated pluralist democracy, while Malaysia reflects a constrained model where religion and politics are closely intertwined. Karmila Iskandar, Nurul Azizah Copyright (c) 2025 Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/45 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 The Role of Muslim Merchants in Shaping Indian Ocean Civilization through Trade Routes and Cultural Exchanges https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/43 This article examines the role of Muslim merchants in shaping Indian Ocean civilization through trade routes and cultural exchanges. Drawing on a historical-qualitative approach, it argues that these merchants were not merely economic actors but also agents of cultural transmission, legal innovation, and social transformation. They facilitated the growth of maritime trade networks, introduced systems of trust and credit grounded in Islamic commercial law, and contributed to the spread of Islam through daily interactions, intermarriage, and the prestige of merchant elites. At the same time, their activities fostered hybrid societies, such as the Swahili coast and Malay world, where local traditions and Islamic practices blended in complex ways. However, this influence was neither uniform nor uncontested: trade often reinforced hierarchies, Islamization was negotiated and selective, and hybrid cultures emerged out of both cooperation and tension. The merchants’ networks also adapted to shifting geopolitical landscapes, from the patronage of Islamic polities to the disruptions of European expansion. By situating Muslim merchants within these broader dynamics, the study highlights their role as connectors and cultural brokers who helped make the Indian Ocean a cosmopolitan arena, while underscoring the uneven, contested nature of this process. Aulia Putri Copyright (c) 2025 Qalrah: Journal of Islamic Civilization https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ https://pdpijournals.org/index.php/jic/article/view/43 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000