Hazleena Baharun

AN ANALYSIS OF TAQWA IN THE HOLY QURAN: SURAH AL- BAQARAH

Within the context of the Islamic religion, having Taqwa or the traits of righteousness is imperative because Taqwa reflects the level of a Muslim’s faith. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to identify the traits of Takwa in surah Al-Baqara in the Holy Quran. The data for this study were obtained from verses in surah Al-Baqara. Purposive sampling was used to select the verses that contain the traits of Taqwa using an established tafseer (Quranic interpretation) in the Qurainic field as a guideline in marking the Taqwa traits in sampling the verses. Two experts in the field of Quranic tafseer validated the traits of Taqwa extracted from each selected verse. The data were analyzed using manifest and latent content analyses. The findings reveal 10 categories of traits of Taqwa which are tawheed or monotheism, do good to others, performing solah, paying of zakat, honouring rights, repentance, doing good deeds, righteous communication, being grateful, being sincere, and recognition of the absoluteness of Allah’s sovereignty. Sequential emphasis-based analysis was used to tabulate the reiteration of each trait of Taqwa in order to find out the trait that is most frequently emphasized in the form of reiteration. Among the Taqwa category traits, the major emphasis is on tawheed or believing the oneness of Allah. The findings help in enhancing the understanding and the meta-framework of the traits of Taqwa, which is particularly useful for non-scholarly Muslims in strengthening their Islamic faith in accordance to what is commanded in the Holy Quran .

MULTI-VARIED REALITIES OF MALAY CULTURAL IDENTITIES IN POPULAR TV FICTION

This paper discusses readings on Malay cultural identities in Malaysian context. While previous research on Malay cultural identity has presented a broad understanding, this paper attempts to frame this discussion based on three perspectives- elite constructions, socio-cultural worldviews, and resistance to Malay world. By placing Malay cultural identities in relation to the Malaysian context, it explores the dynamics concerning what is distinctive and worthwhile about Malay cultural identities. In addition, this study forms some of the bases for a renewed understanding and interests on Malay cultural identities in light of the burgeoning industries of popular TV fiction.

ACTS OF AGENCY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Successful language learners exercise their agency as they experience learning or acquiring the target language. Their agency acts as the push from within themselves; influenced by the need of an end to be fulfilled and the action taken is within the permitted perimeter of the environment. This is evident in the current study on nine international students whose insights were captured through document analysis of their online postings and interviews. Findings revealed that these international students exercised their agency by making relentless efforts in employing language learning strategies despite the challenges they faced to become better learners of the English language. Further findings illustrating agency were investment and imagined community. Although both investment and imagined community concur with existing literature, the findings from this study further highlight ‘experience’ as an impetus for investment in English language learning.

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK TO EXPLORE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

This conceptual paper addresses the information lacuna in the amalgamation between the areas of language learning strategies and international students in Malaysia. Malaysia is considered a hybrid or mixed setting environment where English as a Second Language (ESL) meets English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Thus in dissecting the big areas of language learning strategies and international students in relation to Malaysia, it gives rise to four notions – hybrid environment, agency, out-of-class language learning strategies and acculturation strategies. Underpinned by tenets derived from four flagship theories/model – Experiential Learning Theory by Kolb, Sociocultural Theory by Vygotsky, Social Cognitive Theory by Bandura, and Second Language Acquisition Model by Ellis – a framework is conceptualised. The conceptual framework elucidates the interplay of the four notions and their connections which will inform the main purpose of the study that is to explore the English language learning experiences of the international students in Malaysia.