Thailand Islamic Journal

Beyond the Plate: Muslim Female Solo Travel, Sanctuary, and Spiritual Sovereignty in Contemporary Halal Tourism

2026-03-31T13:26:23+07:00

The global tourism landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as Muslim Female Solo Travelers (MFSTs) emerge as a rapidly growing segment shaping contemporary travel demand. Despite their increasing economic and socio-cultural influence, dominant halal tourism models remain largely consumption-oriented, focusing primarily on dietary compliance and ritual provision. This study addresses this limitation by reconceptualizing Muslim female solo travel as a pursuit of sanctuary and spiritual sovereignty. Adopting a conceptual and interdisciplinary approach, this paper draws on literature from halal tourism, gender studies, feminist geography, and hospitality management. It proposes the Halal-Authenticity Framework, which positions halal tourism as an integrated value system based on four key dimensions: spiritual safety, gender-sensitive spatial design, faith-integrated autonomy, and emotional and psychological well-being. The analysis highlights the importance of privacy-oriented and gender-sensitive hospitality environments in enhancing perceived safety, trust, and overall travel experience. These elements are shown to influence destination preference and long-term loyalty among MFSTs. The study contributes to halal tourism scholarship by shifting the analytical focus from compliance-based services to experiential and value-based dimensions. It also provides strategic implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders, suggesting that halal authenticity can serve as a competitive advantage in developing inclusive, trust-based, and sustainable tourism systems.

Blended Learning with Artificial Intelligence for Muslim Students in Metropolitan Fringe to Reduce Opportunity Inequality in the Digital Age

2026-04-27T09:25:19+07:00

Educational inequality in the Bangkok fringe represents an often-overlooked issue. Amidst the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Muslim students in the Nong Chok district continue to face a scarcity of resources, especially while balancing both secular and religious studies. Therefore, this academic article aims to present guidelines for implementing Blended Learning with AI to bridge this gap. Through documentary research and conceptual synthesis, the study integrates generative AI tools—such as Gemini and ChatGPT—into the learning process, connecting both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. The synthesis of policy recommendations indicates that utilizing AI as a personalized tutor can profoundly enhance content comprehension at an individualized level and significantly alleviate the burden on parents. Consequently, the government needs to support digital infrastructure by more than 80% in marginalized areas to ensure true equity in accessing educational resources.

Strategic Management for the Sustainable Survival of Small Private Religious Schools in the Era of Disruption

2026-03-10T09:37:50+07:00

This academic article aims to analyze management strategies that enable small private religious schools to survive and achieve sustainable development amid rapid changes and uncertainties in social, economic, technological, and educational policy environments. The study employs a qualitative research approach using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Relevant literature, including academic articles, research studies, policy documents, and educational statistical reports published between 2017 and 2026, was systematically reviewed to analyze and synthesize existing knowledge.

The findings reveal that sustainable survival strategies for small private religious schools in the era of disruption consist of five key dimensions: (1) structural and policy management strategies, (2) academic and curriculum management strategies, (3) educational personnel management strategies, (4) community and network relationship management strategies, and (5) adaptation and innovation strategies. The study further indicates that the sustainability of these schools depends not only on technical adaptation but also on strategic management that effectively integrates religious identity, organizational values, and managerial flexibility in responding to changing circumstances. The findings provide both academic and policy implications for administrators of private religious schools and relevant stakeholders. They offer practical guidance for strengthening institutional resilience, enhancing long-term sustainability, and supporting the continued development of private religious schools in an increasingly dynamic and uncertain environment.

Reforming Hajj Quota Allocation for Equity: Indonesia's Waiting Period Reduction Policy Under Law 14/2025

2025-12-22T14:50:34+07:00

Indonesia faces a systemic Hajj crisis characterized by extreme regional disparities in waiting periods (11–47 years), which violate principles of equity in access to the fifth pillar of Islam. To resolve this, Law Number 14 of 2025 replaced the population-based quota system with a waiting-list proportion formula, standardizing the national average waiting period to 27 years. This study applies qualitative policy analysis, integrating Islamic governance principles (siyāsah sharʿīyah) with Grindle’s and Edwards’ implementation frameworks. Data were drawn from Law 14/2025, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reports (2020–2026), and provincial quota statistics. Findings show a dual outcome. The policy enhances legal certainty and is projected to reduce elderly pilgrim mortality by 10–15% by accelerating departures in high-backlog provinces. However, it faces strong political resistance, particularly from West Java (loss of 9,083 slots), and technical challenges including 10% data inconsistencies in the SISKOHAT system. Despite infrastructural constraints, the reform marks a significant step toward substantive equity in Hajj management. It offers a pioneering model for other Muslim-majority nations in reconciling religious justice with modern public administration.

Problems and Solutions of Bangkok Muslim Pilgrims in 2025: Historical, Cultural, and Islamic Jurisprudential Perspectives

2026-04-30T12:58:15+07:00

The performance of Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which every Muslim who is physically and financially able must undertake at least once in their lifetime. This study aims to examine the problems and solutions facing Muslim pilgrims from Bangkok in 2025 by analyzing three dimensions: the historical dimension, the cultural dimension, and the dimension of Islamic jurisprudence. The research employs a qualitative methodology, collecting data from historical documents, texts of Islamic jurisprudence, and in-depth interviews with 10 pilgrims from Bangkok as well as 5 relevant officials. Data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that the main problems of pilgrims include (1) Structural problems inherited from historical models of Hajj management, (2) issues of cultural differences and cross-cultural communication, and (3) Problems of understanding Islamic legal provisions in contemporary social contexts. Proposed solutions should emphasize integrating knowledge from history, culture, and Islamic jurisprudence, as well as developing public policies and systematic religious preparedness. Reform the Hajj management system with state support for community and religious organizations; develop blended religious-practical pre-Hajj curricula; provide cross-cultural readiness training, language instruction, and simulations with an etiquette handbook; and offer practical fiqh courses, niyyah training, and fatwa-guidelines for emergencies.