Journal of Emerging Economies and Islamic Research

Halal tourism: An integrative review of concepts, challenges, and future directions

Fatihah Norazami Abdullah — 2025-06-01

This study emphasizes the imperative of global standards in halal tourism as practice differs widely due to varying interpretations and applications. This study explores the possibility and limitation of creating standardized procedures in addressing the growing Muslim travel market and enticing non-Muslim tourists with moral and sustainable experiences. Literature points to notable developments, particularly in providing halal-certified food, prayer facilities, and culturally acceptable accommodations. Disparities in definition and usage of "halal" remain a real barrier to standardisation. Following industry data and case studies, the research establishes that countries having sound halal standards and well-established global networks are more adept at bringing crowds of tourists as well as pushing sustainable development. It is proposed that one universal system needs to be put in place to enhance credibility, service quality, and cross-cultural appeal. The study focuses on Islamic-non-Islamic cooperation, investment-friendly infrastructure for halal, and ethical and sustainable values promotion for halal tourism. Future studies would build on these themes by examining the effect of technological innovation and halal certification on tourist preference and destination competitiveness. Stakeholders and policymakers would be informed by the analysis while crafting a harmonious, inclusive halal tourism model integrating economic and cultural aims.

Healthcare-seeking behavior among ill children under five in Bangladesh: A multinomial analysis

Shahnaz Haqueab — 2025-06-01

Bangladesh has a complex healthcare system. Despite improvements in healthcare infrastructure, a significant proportion of children under five with illnesses are still taken to unqualified healthcare providers, or their parents rely on pharmacies, traditional healers, or self-care for treatment. However, expanding access to substandard care is unlikely to improve health outcomes. This study aims to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior (HSB) using nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey (2016). Guided by Andersen's behavioral model of health services use, a multinomial logistic regression model is applied to identify factors affecting HSB. The findings reveal that variables such as the mother's age, urban residence, household wealth index, and the presence of multiple illnesses increase the likelihood of seeking care from qualified healthcare providers. In contrast, no significant association is found between the child's sex and parental healthcare-seeking behavior. Additionally, as children grow older, parents are more likely to turn to pharmacies, traditional healers, or self-care options. The analysis also shows that while children of educated mothers are more likely to receive care from qualified providers, those whose mothers are employed are more often treated through pharmacy/traditional/self-care methods. Further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons for this behavior among working mothers. Policymakers should prioritize reducing rural–urban disparities and poverty. Moreover, increasing public awareness about the importance of addressing childhood illnesses—through nationwide workshops or seminars—can help prevent neglect and mistreatment.

Examining co-operative challenges in sustaining the economic well-being and education of Muslim reverts (muallaf) in Malaysia

Mohd. Zuhaili Kamal Basir — 2025-06-01

In Malaysia, where religion is intricately linked with state policy, muallaf, individual who convert to Islam, are defined differently under state laws. Islamic teachings emphasise the importance of supporting muallaf by providing them with knowledge, guidance, and financial assistance, particularly through zakat. However, zakat aid is often short-term and limited by the eligibility criteria for asnaf recipients. To facilitate their integration into Islam and provide sustained support, the establishment of a co-operative for muallaf is proposed. Such co-operatives can offer a broader range of financial services and are more flexible, with greater potential to empower muallaf economically and sustainably. This paper aims to identify the challenges faced by co-operatives in maintaining the financial well-being and educational opportunities of muallaf in Malaysia. This study adopts a qualitative approach. The findings reveal several obstacles encountered by co-operatives in supporting muallaf, including legal limitations, financial constraints, educational barriers, and the limited availability of Islamic products. The study concludes by proposing measures to enhance the economic stability and educational access of muallaf in Malaysia.

Waqf as a driven source for human capital development: a comparative analysis of Bangladesh and Malaysia

Mahfuzul Alam Taifur — 2025-06-30

This article explores the significant role of waqf in the development of human capital, focusing on Bangladesh and Malaysia. The aim of this study is to outline the importance of human capital in economic development and how waqf can be utilised to foster education, training, and skills, contributing to overall societal welfare and prosperity. It presents a qualitative research approach, employing interviews and thematic analysis to explore the effectiveness and challenges of waqf in human capital development. The study reviews theoretical underpinnings of human capital from both Western and Muslim scholars and compares the practical applications and outcomes of waqf-funded initiatives in enhancing human capital in the two countries. The findings illustrate varied perspectives and implementations in Bangladesh and Malaysia, influenced by cultural, economic, and institutional factors. The article concludes by suggesting that waqf can significantly contribute to human capital development, with implications for policy and practice in Muslim-majority countries facing similar challenges. This study uniquely examines the role of waqf in human capital development in Bangladesh and Malaysia, integrating both Western and Islamic perspectives. By comparing waqf-funded initiatives across these distinct cultural and economic contexts, it identifies key challenges and opportunities that shape effective outcomes. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, suggesting ways to leverage waqf for human capital enhancement in Muslim-majority countries with similar socio-economic goals.

The impact of economic policy uncertainty on innovation types in enterprises: An empirical study of Chinese listed companies

Tang Guoru — 2025-06-30

This study investigates the heterogeneous effects of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on different types of enterprise innovation, namely invention patents, utility model patents, and design patents, based on a panel dataset of A-share listed companies in China from 2007 to 2022. Employing a random-effects Tobit model to address the left-censoring nature of patent data, the analysis reveals that EPU significantly suppresses innovation across all categories, with the strongest inhibitory effect observed on invention patents. The influence of EPU is further moderated by firm-level characteristics such as market power and profitability, as well as regional institutional environments. Monopolistic firms reduce radical innovation under uncertainty, while higher profitability, and research and development (R&D) intensity consistently promote innovation output. Regional comparisons show that eastern firms emphasise short-cycle innovations, western firms benefit from policy subsidies supporting core technologies, and central firms lag across all innovation dimensions. Robustness checks using alternative EPU indices and instrumental variable techniques confirm the reliability of the findings. The study concludes with tailored policy recommendations aimed at stabilising the innovation climate and enhancing inter-regional coordination.