The halal cosmetics industry is an industry that is beginning to gain a place in the range of beauty products in the Malaysian market. The issue of cosmetic products categorized as timbang kilo beauty cosmetics with a percentage of scheduled poisons prompts cosmetic users in the market to look for safer products. This scenario provides an excellent opportunity for halal cosmetic products. This research found the increase in demand for halal cosmetic products is influenced by the knowledge, attitude, and environment of consumers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze whether the religious factor is capable of being a mediator in the relationship between the factors of knowledge, attitude, and consumer environment with the decision to purchase halal cosmetic products. The questionnaire was conducted online using Google Forms. The total response rate that has been received is as much as 234 people, however, after carrying out the data screening process, 33 samples are invalid respondents and have been dropped. This reduced the total sample to 201 people. Therefore, this study focuses on 201 working Muslim women in Selangor. The results of the study found the coefficient value for the religious factor as a mediator of knowledge, attitude and environment factors are 0.145 while the standard error value is 0.027. For the effect of the mediator on consumer purchase decisions on halal cosmetic products, the coefficient value is 0.117 while the standard error value is 0.049. The researcher also conducted the Sobel test. The result of the Sobel test was 2.18, with an associated P value of 0.029 falling below the set alpha level of 0.05. This shows that there is a significant relationship between the mediator with the independent variable and the dependent variable. In other words, the religious factor is confirmed as a mediator in the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The results of this finding can be concluded that the application of religious values can influence the decision to purchase halal cosmetic products. The application of religious values in individuals encourages consumers to choose halal products as demanded in Islam.

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the challenges and opportunities for halal industries in Malaysia. Since the market for certified Halal products is developing robustly, both domestically and internationally and Malaysia has become the leader and centre of reference for the world. This research builds on existing research published in the Munich Personal RePEc Archive on challenges and opportunities in halal industry. In addition to an extensive literature review, four segment of halal categories were discussed in order to discover the challenges and opportunities with regards to halal industry in Malaysia. The results show that the future market demands and the competitive opportunities related to halal industry are the main motivators for Malaysia to undertaken the significant initiatives across regulation, trade and industry support to strengthen the status as a Halal hub in the trade-driven of Islamic economy. The early adopters for each of halal segments face several challenges such as ambiguous halal guidelines, lack of international halal certification, lack of collaboration among governing agencies (i.e. Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) and Halal Industry Development Corporation), a lack of cost-effective standards and a general misunderstanding of halal practices. The findings of the present study may help government policy makers recognise the issues that should be addressed in motivating industries players to adopt halal practices. This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the challenges and opportunities of adopting halal certificate in Malaysia. Keywords: Challenges, Halal industry, Islamic economic,Opportunities

The increasing demand over Shariah compliant services since past one decade has significantly contributes to the development of Islamic hotel business in Malaysia. Several factors such as the increasing number of global Muslim population, high disposable income among Muslims and high awareness on getting Shariah compliant services becoming the main contributors to the growing of this business segmentation. However, it is reported by many scholars that this business segment is still not stable since there are loopholes mentioned by previous scholars found in the operational side of Islamic hotel business. Concerned to determine the extent to which this business segment is still not stable, several journal articles was selected and reviewed by this research. It is hope that this paper will be able to provide a comprehensive information related to the inadequacy in the Islamic hotel business in Malaysia and at the same time serving as an idea for future research in this area of interest. Keywords: Islamic Hotel Business, Muslim Friendly Services, Shariah Compliant Hotel