This paper examines the relationship between the quality of different dimensions of institutional infrastructure and economic growth in a panel of 39 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The empirical results confirm that better-quality political and economic institutions can have positive effects on economic growth. All in all, the evidence from nonlinear model reveals that the quality of political institutions that ensure stable government, less expropriation, and low external conflict are the core dimensions of an institutional matrix because they influence the growth effects of economic institutions, confirming the "hierarchy of institutions hypothesis." The study also finds that when political and economic institutions are accounted for, institutions that prevent internal conflict and tensions arising from ethnic and religious conflicts do not have significant (positive) impacts on growth. Thus, institutional reforms to upgrade the quality of both political and economic institutions are crucial for development in OIC countries.

This study aims at examining the Islamic Republic of Iran’s “aid diplomacy” officially referred to as “support diplomacy” and focuses on the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee (IKRC), a charity organization which is functioning as the main vehicle. The IKRC is highly active in many poor countries and this study focuses on the activities, strategies, and achievements of the IKRC in Afghanistan. The study among others finds that Iran is using rigorous aid diplomacy to penetrate into the downtrodden layers of Afghan society. The foundational principles of the IKRC suggest that this institution is functioning in the direction of Ayatollah Khomeini’s doctrine of “Exporting the Revolution.” In line with this, the IKRC is tasked to nurture Afghan sympathizers for the Islamic Republic of Iran to enhance this country’s soft power in Afghanistan and the relief efforts are heavily influenced by its official ideology that is based on Shia belief system.

The incidence of child abuse is increasing at an alarming rate. However, it is widely believed that only a few cases are reported to the authorities. Under-reporting of child abuse is therefore a grave concern, especially in Malaysia. Why is it that, even though society in general agrees that child abuse is a heinous crime that must be stopped and prevented, only very few of them played their role by reporting suspected abuse? The answer is unclear due to scarce research conducted in this area. This study is therefore directed towards finding answers to this question. By applying the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper examines the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and child abuse reporting intention. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used by this cross-sectional study in selecting the respondents from the Southern ( Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan) and Central (Selangor) regions of Malaysia. A total of 384 questionnaires was distributed to the individual citizens of Malaysia aged between 19 to 64 years old. The return rate was 90.4% and analysis was carried out on 347 completed questionnaires. The findings show that subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were found to have a significant relationship with the intention to report suspected child abuse. Subjective norm was found to be the most influential factor towards intention to report suspected child abuse. Interestingly, the study found that there was no significant relationship between attitude and intention to report suspected child abuse in Malaysian society. The findings of this study are useful to policy makers and child protection authorities. Keywords: child protection policy, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, Theory of Planned Behavior

Ayatollah Khomeini after the 1979 Revolution contemplated the promotion of Shia core doctrinal values in the Muslim world. A strategy to instill these values in young minds and academic community in the largely Sunni majority Muslim states was needed. Khomeini used 'exporting revolution' instead of 'exporting Shia core values' to avoid resistance in the Sunni dominant communities. The Islamic Republic of Iran founded al-Mustafa International University (MIU) with branches across the Muslim world. The MIU's strategy and activities in Malaysia and Afghanistan suggest that it is engaged in proselytizing followers of Sunni theology and recruiting Sunni academia as propagandists and sympathizers of Shiism. In Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic also aims to penetrate policy-making circles.

Classical jurists have rigorously studied siyar (the foreign policy of the Islamic state), describing the nature of the principles and norms that influenced the formulation of siyar. On the basis of these principles and norms, the jurists formulated rulings to describe the nature of the relationship of the Islamic state with others. This study examines the relationship between the principles and norms that influenced siyar and the maqasid approach (higher purposes) of shari'ah. This study first presents a conceptual analysis of siyar. Second, it discusses the approach of maqasid of shari'ah. Third, it explores selected juridical rulings that describe the nature of siyar. Fourth, this study, building on an analysis of selected juridical rulings, suggests that siyar was guided by some general principles and norms. Finally, the study examines the relationship between the principles that governed siyar and the approach of maqasid of shari'ah. The study concludes that the aim of both siyar and maqasid of sharia'h was/is to establish a moral order. The genesis of this positive relationship between the maqasid of shari'ah and the principles and norms that guided siyar is found in the unity of the source of knowledge or the principle of Divine Unity (al Tawhid).This study examines the relationship between international relations in the writings of Muslim jurists and the approach of maqasid (higher purposes) of shari'ah. The study argues that classical Muslim jurists and scholars such as Abu Hanifah, al-Shafi'i, al-Shybani, al-Sarakhsi, al-Awzai'i, alThawri, and al-Mawardi wrote rigorously on siyar, the foreign policies of the Islamic state (the first Islamic state being established by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) and its relationship with other members of the world community. The jurists formulated juridical rulings (al-ahkam al-fiqhiyyah) to describe the nature of the Islamic state's relations with the rest of the world. These rulings were not formulated on the basis of the maqasidic approach but were guided by some general theoretical framework or norms and principles. The paper proceeds on the assumption that a "positive and constructive linkage" exists between the general theoretical framework the jurists have adopted in formulating rulings governing the Islamic state's external relations and the maqasidic approach. The principle of unity of knowledge enshrined in the concept of Divine Unity (al-Tawhid) plays the "bridging" role in the process.