Urban flooding and waterlogging in the northern part of Kabul City

Urban flooding and waterlogging are the big challenges in urban areas of Afghanistan especially in the northern part of Kabul city. Such flooding during monsoon become common in recent years. Urban flooding occurs due to unsustainable urban expansion, change in catchment topography, and increase impervious surface, poor link between catchment drainage structures. Obstruction of the drainage structures leads to waterlogging so that stormwater overspills and blocks the roads against traffic and businesses. Over a decade, drainage systems had been undesirably upgraded in proportion to population growth, caused an increase in frequency of urban flooding and waterlogging. However, very few studies have been conducted to address this issue. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate pre and post-development land-use changes and delineate flooding prone area, identify the factors causing urban flooding and waterlogging and finally, to identify catchment discharge from the rainfall using HEC-HMS. For this purpose, land-use changes over 45 years of pre and post-war periods (1964-2009) were evaluated using CORONA 1964 imagery with new update 2009 imagery 10x10cm resolution of Kabul city. Climate Hazard Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) and the ministry of energy and water (MEW) rainfall data set were used to estimate discharge from rainfall. The land-use changes scenarios were analysed by using geographical information system (GIS) under the causes of the increase of urban flooding. The results revealed that unsustainable development activities in the natural water flow path are the major cause of increasing flood in the study area. There are other factors as a poor link between Wazerabad canal and existing drainage structures, catchment characteristic, undesirable combined drainage structures law enforcement and less attention to maintenance which contribute to urban flooding and waterlogging. The study suggest that the sub-drainage structure should be linked to Wazerabad canal by considering sufficient slop, segregation of sewer system where applicable, public awareness, structural and non-structural approaches for urban flood mitigation , law enforcements, sediment and solid waste trap at each drainage inlet as well as system cleaning and maintenance after each rainfall are recommended

[Online Learning Challenges for Islamic Studies Programs in Higher Education Institutions (IPT)] Cabaran Pembelajaran Online bagi Program Pengajian Islam di Insitusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT)

The rapid development of multimedia technology has witnessed the high dependence of 21st century society on technology. Not to mention living in a movement control environment following the COVID-19 pandemic, causing almost everything to be done online. In the field of higher education, online learning has been introduced earlier and it is in line with the Malaysian Higher Education Development Plan (PPPM PT) 2015-2025. Online learning has proven to have advantages especially in terms of flexibility, however, there are issues in terms of student readiness, instructors and infrastructure. While in the field of Islamic Studies (especially in the study of the Quran), the traditional method that needs to be preserved is the method of talaqqī mushāfahah which emphasizes the relationship between teachers and students face to face. Therefore, this paper analyzes several issues and challenges for the implementation of online studies for Islamic Studies programs in IPT. The study uses content analysis methods on previous studies on issues and problems in online studies as well as studies on the method of talaqqī mushāfahah which is often used in Islamic Studies, especially in the study of the Qur'an. The results of the study found that the issues and challenges in online studies for Islamic Studies program are almost the same as other studies, namely the readiness of students and lecturers, the stigma that teaching can only be done face to face, the readiness of facilities, the negative effects of technology and the importance of continuity of talaqqī. While the proposed solution that can be considered is to provide good infrastructure and services for students and lecturers, the preparation of lecturers and institutions as well as the construction of a new model of talaqqī in accordance with online learning methods. Therefore, the findings of this study provide preliminary information to answer the question of how traditional aspects of Islamic studies such as talaqqī can be preserved in the development of online studies and whether talaqqī methods can be adapted to new and innovative forms as e-talaqqi. Perkembangan pesat teknologi multimedia telah menyaksikan kebergantungan yang tinggi masyarakat abad ke-21 kepada teknologi. Apatah lagi hidup dalam suasana kawalan pergerakan berikutan pandemik COVID-19, menyebabkan hampir semua urusan dilakukan secara online. Dalam bidang pendidikan tinggi, pengajian online telah diperkenalkan lebih awal lagi dan ianya menepati Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia Pendidikan Tinggi (PPPM PT) 2015-2025. Pengajian online terbukti mempunyai kelebihan terutamanya dari aspek fleksibiliti namun begitu, terdapat isu dari aspek kesediaan pelajar, pengajar dan prasarana. Manakala dalam bidang Pengajian Islam (terutamanya dalam pengajian al-Quran), kaedah tradisi yang perlu dipelihara adalah kaedah talaqqī mushāfahah yang menekankan hubungan guru dengan murid secara bersemuka. Justeru, penulisan ini menganalisis beberapa isu dan cabaran bagi perlaksanaan pengajian online bagi program Pengajian Islam di IPT. Kajian menggunakan kaedah analisis kandungan terhadap kajian lepas tentang isu dan masalah dalam pengajian online dan juga kajian berkenaan dengan kaedah talaqqī mushāfahah yang sering diguna pakai dalam Pengajian Islam khususnya dalam pembelajaran al-Quran. Hasil kajian mendapati, isu dan cabaran yang dalam pengajian online bagi program Pengajian Islam adalah hampir sama dengan pengajian lain iaitu kesediaan pelajar dan pensyarah, stigma bahawa pengajaran hanya dapat dilakukan secara bersemuka, kesediaan prasarana, kesan negatif daripada teknologi serta kepentingan kesinambungan talaqqī. Manakala cadangan penyelesaian yang boleh dipertimbangkan ialah menyediakan infrastruktur dan perkhidmatan yang baik untuk pelajar dan pensyarah, persediaan pensyarah dan institusi serta pembinaan model talaqqī yang baharu sesuai dengan kaedah pembelajaran online. Oleh itu, dapatan kajian ini memberikan maklumat awal untuk menjawab persoalan bagaimana aspek tradisi pengajian Islam seperti talaqqī dapat dipelihara dalam perkembangan pengajian online dan adakah kaedah talaqqī boleh disesuaikan dengan bentuk yang baru dan diinovasi sebagai e-talaqqi

Characterization and Separation Performance of a Novel Polyethersulfone Membrane Blended with Acacia Gum

Novel polyethersulfone (PES) membranes blended with 0.1–3.0 wt. % of Acacia gum (AG) as a pore-former and antifouling agent were fabricated using phase inversion technique. The effect of AG on the pore-size, porosity, surface morphology, surface charge, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of PES/AG membranes was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, contact angle and zeta potential measurements. The antifouling -properties of PES/AG membranes were evaluated using Escherichia coli bacteria and bovine serum albumine (BSA). The use of AG as an additive to PES membranes was found to increase the surface charge, hydrophilicity (by 20%), porosity (by 77%) and permeate flux (by about 130%). Moreover, PES/AG membranes demonstrated higher antifouling and tensile stress (by 31%) when compared to pure PES membranes. It was shown that the prepared PES/AG membranes efficiently removed lead ions from aqueous solutions. Both the sieving mechanism of the membrane and chelation of lead with AG macromolecules incorporated in the membrane matrix contributed to lead removal. The obtained results indicated that AG can be used as a novel pore-former, hydrophilizing and antifouling agent, as well as an enhancer to the mechanical and rejection properties of the PES membranes

Elemen Akidah dalam Surah Yasin: Satu Sorotan Awal: Elements of Faith in Surah Yasin: An Early Highlight

Iman merupakan tunjang utama dalam menentukan segala tindakan individu muslim. Keimanan yang benar adalah berdasarkan kepada akidah dan pegangan yang jelas berpandukan sumber utama Islam iaitu al-Qur’an dan al-Sunnah. Surah Yasin yang merupakan qalb al-Qur’an sudah menjadi amalan dan rutin mingguan bagi majoriti umat Islam di Malaysia, namun pemahaman dan penghayatan tafsirnya tidak didalami dan diamalkan. Disamping itu, pelbagai isu pemikiran dan akidah bermain dalam kelompok masyarakat, sekali gus mewujudkan kebimbangan dikalangan agamawan dengan kewujudan pelbagai aliran pemikiran islam yang berusaha untuk mengelirukan kefahaman umat Islam terhadap pegangannya sendiri. Oleh itu, tujuan utama kajian ini dibahas adalah untuk mengenalpasti elemen-elemen akidah yang terdapat di dalam surah Yasin. Kajian ini telah menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan análisis tematik dan deskriptif, dapatan kajian ini akan memaparkan beberapa elemen akidah yang terdapat dalam surah Yasin yang dilihat mampu mengukuhkan akidah individu Muslim sekiranya dihayati dengan sebaiknya. Di antara elemen akidah yang diketengahkan ialah berkaitan perkara ilahiyyat, nubuwwat & sam‘iyyat. Elemen tersebut dilihat mampu memberi kesedaran kepada individu muslim dalam merancang dan melakukan setiap tindakan di dunia ini agar sejajar dengan tuntutan Islam yang membuahkan ganjaran pahala di akhirat kelak. Abstract Faith is the mainstay in determining the behaviour and all of the actions of Muslim individuals. True faith is based on akidah and firm beliefs that are clearly guided by the main sources of Islam, namely the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The reciting of the surah Yasin which is heart of the Qur’an has become a weekly practice and routine for the majority of Muslims in Malaysia. However what is more important is being able to understand and appreciate the surah Yasin. Among the obstacles that impede the understanding of the Qur’an in general is the tension between differing Islamic ideologies and thinking which has a great influence on the masses, thus creating concern among religious fundamentals, specifically the existence of various stream of Islamic thoughts that seek to confuse Muslims' understanding of their own beliefs. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to identify the elements of faith found in surah Yasin. This study has used a qualitative method with a thematic and descriptive analysis approach , where the findings of this study will display some elements of faith found in surah Yasin which are regarded as being able to strengthen the faith of Muslim individuals who have the proper understanding of the surah. Among the elements of faith that are highlighted are related to matters of ilahiyyat, nubuwwat & sam‘iyyat. These elements are regarded as being able to give a sense of awareness to Muslim individuals that they must plan and carry out every action in this life in line with the teachings of Islam which will bring rewards in the hereafter

THE DIVINE EXISTENCE: ONTOLOGICAL DISCOURSE OF AL-GHAZALI (D. 1111) AND MAIMONIDES (D. 1204)

Purpose: This paper aims to elucidate al-Ghazali and Maimonides ontological arguments in proving God’s existence by analysing their theological writings. In the golden age of Islamic civilization, fellow Jewish and Christian were seen to be engaged in theological discourse with Muslim scholars. In adjacent, al-Ghazali and Maimonides were seen playing vital roles in affirming the existence of God in their respective religions. Methodology: This paper is qualitative in nature and employs content analysis. Both al-Ghazali and Maimonides’ arguments are then analysed comparatively. Comparative theology is done to examine theological discourse as part of inter-religious dialogue. Main Findings: This study finds that their arguments differ in interpreting the necessary existent which Maimonides’ dual categorization of necessary existence distinguishes their arguments from there onwards. This entails the dual argument by which Maimonides affirmed God is the agent and cause of every occurrence. Meanwhile, al-Ghazālī only affirmed God is the agent through His will and concept of particularization. Applications: This paper is vital in discussing the concept of God through inter-theological dialogue. Novelty/Originality: Notwithstanding the significant number of texts on divine existence, the researcher found no study that specifically deals with al-Ghazālī and Maimonides’ discourses on the existence of God. Needless to say, comparisons of the concept of God in Islam and Judaism are very limited in contrast to Islam and Christianity

APPRAISAL OF HUMAN ACTS DISCOURSE AMONG ASHĀ‘IRAH SCHOLARS

Purpose: This paper attempts to illuminate the different opinions of Ashā‘irah scholars namely, Al-Bāqillānī, Al-Juwaynī and Al-Ghazālī on the subject of human acts. The discourse of human acts emerges from the argument of God’s attributes qudrah and irādah. It was first discussed by Jabariyyah and Qadariyyah which was then eventually elevated by the Mu’tazilah in understanding human acts. Methodology: This study is a qualitative study in nature that employs document analysis method. The comparative analysis will be done in order to examine similarities and differences found in the discussion of the Ashā‘irah scholars. Main Findings: As a whole, the four scholars anticipated in different arguments. It can be summed that Al-Ash‘arī and Al-Ghazālī hold that human acts are still considered as acts of God considering all actions are created by Him. Meanwhile, Al-Bāqillānī and Al-Juwaynī maintained human acts to be free from God’s acts. Applications: The discussion of this study serves as an important mean in comprehending the discourse of the Ashā‘irah tradition on the concept of human acts. Novelty/Originality: This paper examines the arguments and proofs based on the Ashā‘irah scholars which will look into their respective writings on the discourse of human act

Masalah Spiritual Remaja Berisiko dan Faktor yang Mempengaruhinya: Suatu Kajian Literatur: Spiritual Problems among at-Risk Youth and Influencing Factors: A Literature Review

Isu remaja berisiko bukan lagi perkara yang boleh dipandang remeh pada masa kini, sebaliknya ia merupakan di antara isu yang perlu diberikan perhatian. Peningkatan kes yang melibatkan remaja menunjukkan bahawa kadar keruntuhan akhlak remaja yang semakin membarah. Hal ini terjadi disebabkan oleh pengaruh luaran dan dalaman seperti cabaran anasir dan pengaruh luar berbentuk global yang amat mudah menjajah pemikiran dan mempengaruhi budaya remaja. Di samping itu, kekurangan ilmu pengetahuan berkaitan akhlak Islam juga membuatkan spiritual remaja tidak kuat bagi menghadapi cabaran tersebut. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan mengenalpasti faktor yang mempengaruhi tingkah laku remaja berisiko dan masalah spiritual yang dihadapi oleh mereka menerusi sorotan literatur berkaitan. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kualitatif yang menggunakan kaedah kepustakaan dan analisis kandungan terhadap penelitian ke atas kajian lepas berbentuk tesis, disertasi, artikel jurnal dan sebagainya. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa perilaku seseorang remaja sama ada positif atau negatif dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor dalaman dan luaran seperti kurangnya penghayatan ilmu agama, tekanan emosi, pengaruh rakan sebaya, media massa, pengaruh ibubapa, persekitan dan sebagainya. Beberapa masalah spiritual remaja berisiko juga turut dikenal pasti seperti al-halu’ (keluh kesah), hubbu al-dunya (cinta dunia), hasad dan sebagainya

Pendekatan Pengubatan Berteraskan Spiritual Islam dalam Menangani Masalah Sosial Masyarakat [Rehabilitation Approach based on Islamic Spirituality in Overcoming Social Problems among Malaysian Society]

Malaysia sudah pun memasuki era baru iaitu zaman 2020 yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh semua pihak. Walau bagaimanapun, sebagai sebuah negara yang membangun, isu masalah sosial tidak dapat dipisahkan. Bukan itu sahaja, masyarakat di bandar mahupun luar turut mempunyai statistik masalah sosial yang meresahkan. Fokus utama dalam menangani masalah sosial sewajarnya menumpukan pendekatan berorientasi kepada aspek spiritual atau kerohanian tanpa pengabaian aspek lain. Oleh yang demikian, artikel ini menyasarkan suatu misi dengan mengemukakan langkah pro-aktif iaitu mengkaji mengenai pendekatan pengubatan berteraskan spiritual Islam dalam menangani masalah sosial yang berlaku dalam kalangan masyarakat di negara hari ini. Artikel ini mengetengahkan pendekatan metode campuran iaitu kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Pendekatan pengubatan berteraskan spiritual Islam dihasilkan menerusi penelitian terhadap literatur dan temu bual bersama tiga orang pakar. Pendekatan ini turut mendapat penilaian dan pengesahan lima orang pakar dengan menggunakan soal selidik bagi mendapatkan kesahan yang tinggi. Analisis kandungan digunakan pada fasa pertama, dan analisis khas metode Fuzzy Delphi digunakan pada fasa kedua. Berdasarkan pengumpulan data yang dijalankan, pendekatan pengubatan berteraskan spiritual Islam dijangkakan memberikan kesan yang positif dalam menangani masalah sosial masyarakat. Malaysia has progressed to the much-anticipated 2020s. Along with the progression, however, as a developing country, social issues are seemingly inextricable. This is further indicated through the alarming statistics on social problems for both urban and rural society. Therefore, the chief focus to resolve the social issues ought to be directed towards a spiritual-oriented aspect without disregarding other aspects. Accordingly, this article attempts to undertake a proactive step by studying a rehabilitation approach based on Islamic spirituality in overcoming social issues in society. This study utilizes a mixed-method research design of qualitative and quantitative research. The approach is formulated by perusing literature sources and interviewing three experts. For high validity outcome, this approach is reviewed and validated by five experts. Content analysis is used in the first phase, while a more distinctive analysis method, Fuzzy Delphi, is used in the second phase. The outcome from data collection is expected to deliver a positive result in resolving social problems in society

Implementasi Pendidikan Multikultural sebagai Adaptasi Pesantren Bali Bina Insani di Daerah Minoritas Muslim

There are non-Muslim teachers in the formal education institutions of the BBI Islamic Boarding School. Non-Muslim (Hindu) teachers pass their knowledge on to their students, all of whom are farmers, because the students live in boarding schools. So, in terms of human resources, these farmers do have a multicultural education in various religions. This multicultural education practice is clearly reflected in the management of human resources of the faculty, staff and other educational components. This research is a field study and the author uses a qualitative approach in this research. The authors set the research location in Tabanan, a boarding school in Bina Insani, Bali. The author chose this location because the Bina Insani Islamic Boarding School in Bali is an example of interfaith multicultural education. Based on an analysis of all available literature data, our results show that multicultural education at the Bina Insani Bali Islamic Boarding School aims to instill tolerant attitudes and behaviors among religious people. Pesantren also want to teach students the beauty of tolerance for other religions. Multicultural education at Pesantren Bina Insani (PBBI) Bali is characterized by the presence of elements of education that rely on students and educators as individuals or groups to represent (represent) the community. multiple cultures. Identity is related to the attitude of a person or group of people. They influence each other based on their identity, which includes interactions between different and different cultures

Mechanical Behavior of a Novel Nanocomposite Polysulphone - Carbon Nanotubes Membrane for Water Treatment

Nowadays, global fresh water shortage is becoming the most serious problem affecting the economic and social development. Water treatment including seawater desalination and wastewater treatment is the main technology for producing fresh water. Membrane technology is favored over other approaches for water treatment due to its promising high efficiency, ease of operation, chemicals free, energy and space saving. Membrane filtration for water treatment has increased significantly in the past few decades with the enhanced membrane quality and decreased membrane costs. In addition to high permeate flux and high contaminant rejection, membranes for water treatment require good mechanical durability and good chemical and fouling resistances. Thus, investigation of the mechanical behavior of water treatment membranes with underlying deformation mechanisms is critical not only for membrane structure design but also for their reliability and lifetime prediction. Compared to ceramic and metallic membranes, polymer membranes with smaller pore size and higher efficiency for particle removal are widely used in seawater desalination with a high applied pressure. However, polymer membranes are mechanically weaker and have lower thermal and chemical stability compared to inorganic membranes. Blending of polymers with inorganic fillers is an effective method to introduce advanced properties to polymer based membranes to meet the requirements of many practical applications. The reinforced polymeric membranes with inorganic fillers can provide desirable mechanical strength as well as mechanical stability. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received considerable attention from academic and industries over the last twenty years. In addition to their excellent electrical and thermal properties, CNTs exhibit outstanding mechanical characteristics due to its instinct mechanical strength and high aspect ratio. For the application of water treatment membranes, CNTs could be the excellent channels for water to go through and therefore, CNTs have proven to be excellent fillers in polymer membranes improving the permeability and rejection properties. In literature, it is reported that the mechanical strength of the polymer membranes was improved with the embedding of CNTs due to reinforcement effect of the more rigid CNTs. The mechanical responses of polymer_CNTs composites depended on the interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and the membrane-based polymer as well as the dispersion and distribution of the CNTs within the polymer matrix. In this study, a vertical chemical vapor deposition reactor was designed in order to synthesize CNTs of high aspect ratio using continues injection atomization. Bundles of high purity (99%) and high quality CNTs were produced by this system. The produced CNTs had diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm and lengths ranging from 300 to 500 micron (corresponded aspect ratios ranging from 6000 to 25000). A novel polysulphone (PSF) based nanocomposite membrane incorporated with the produced high aspect ratio CNTs was then casted via phase inversion method, at a wide range of CNTs loading (0-5 wt. %), in polysulphone-dimethylformamide solutions using the Philos casting system. The poly(vinylpyrrolidone) was used as pore-forming additive. To demonstrate the effect of nanocomposite morphology on the mechanical behavior of the prepared membranes, a set of control samples consisted of PSF membranes embedded with commercial CNTs at the same CNTs loading, were casted at the same conditions. The commercial CNTs had a lengths of 1 ?m to 10 ?m and outer diameters of 10 nm to 20 nm (corresponded aspect ratios ranging from 50 to 1000), with purity >95% and BET surface area of 156 m2/g. The effects of CNTs content and aspect ratio on morphological, water transport and mechanical properties of the prepared PSF-based porous membranes were investigated. The surface and cross-section morphologies of PSF/CNTs porous membranes were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The orientation, dispersion and distribution of CNTs within polymer membranes were evaluated for the membrane samples with different CNTs content and CNTs aspect ratio. The average membrane pore size was evaluated by using SEM image analysis software. Uniaxial tensile behavior of the membranes was characterized by means of a universal material testing machine under different testing conditions. Wet specimens were carefully cut from the casted membranes by using a razor blade. Elastic, plastic and failure behaviors of the membranes are analyzed with the impacts of CNTs content and aspect ratio. The macroscopic mechanical behaviors of the membranes are correlated with their strain induced microstructure evolution by using SEM. In this, pore shape evolution, pore and CNTs orientations, neighboring pore interaction, interface between the CNTs and PSF matrix and the failure behavior of the deformed porous membranes were analyzed. The macroscopic stress-strain responses of the membranes were correlated with the microstructure of the studied nanocomposites membranes to provide a better understanding of materials' processing-microstructure-properties relationship.qscienc