THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION

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THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION

SOURCES ABOUT ISLAM : A CASE STUDY OF MALAYSIA

BY

HABSAH ABDUL RAHMAN

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and

Information Science

Kulliyyah of Information & Communication Technology International Islamic University Malaysia

APRIL 2017

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ABSTRACT

Difficulties in identifying basic and fundamental Islamic information sources is a common issue amongst Muslim Converts in Malaysia. Inundated with the proliferation of information sources, Converts are unsure of the suitability or relevance of such sources and thus they experience challenges when learning and practicing Islam. Understanding Converts perception of such sources is vital in the provision of efficient information services for Muslim Converts. This case study on the perception of Muslim Converts in Malaysia on the usefulness and adequacy of information sources about Islam involved eighteen respondents consisting of fourteen Converts and four information providers. Latent and manifest data were retrieved from semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and text-content of documents. Using qualitative content analyses, data was coded manually as well as with NVivo software as the Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS). Perception of Muslim Converts were examined against the incorporation of elements of human information behaviour adapted from Wilson’s Information Behaviour Models and also examined specifically from the perspective of categories of cognitive, affective, physiological and spiritual information needs. Information sources provided and consulted were found to contain elements of the information needed with varied use and adequacy. A specific need in one category have had an effect on one or more of another need category . Themes of who, what, how, why, and where of Islamic information sources were the issues that Muslim Converts were challenged with.

Although some Muslim Converts are from different demographic background, there exist some common shared perceptions about the information available or need to be made available. While information sources of different types, formats, printed or published were perceived to have different impacts on Converts, people or organisations as information sources also had differentiating effects specifically as a result of their varied approaches in guidance, teaching and training. In conclusion, information sources whether written, verbal or in digital formats have their roles according to the choices and preferences of Muslim Converts by supplementing and complementing one another. The findings found that there exist different levels of gaps in availability, usefulness and adequacy of information sources about Islam for Muslim Converts in Malaysia.

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ثحبلا ةصلاخ

ينب ةكترشم ةيضق ةيملاسلإا تامولعملل ةيرهولجاو ةيساسلأا رداصلما ديدتح في تباوعصلا لكشت يرغ ينقنتعلما ءلاؤه حبصي ،تامولعملل ةديازتم رداصبم مهقارغإ دعبف ،يازيلام في ملاسلإل ينقنتعلما ملعت دنع تيادتح نوهجاوي لياتلباو رداصلما هذه ةيهمأ وأ ةمءلام ىدم نم نيدكأتم ملاسلإا ةسراممو

.

تامدخ يرفوت في ًياويح ًارمأ رداصلما هذه لىإ ملاسلإا يقنتعم ةرظن مهف لكشيو و

ةيلعاف تاذ تامولعم

مله . رداصم ةيافكو ىودج لوح يازيلام في ملاسلإل ينقنتعلما كاردإ نع هذه ةلالحا ةسارد تلمتشا

برأ مهنيب نم ًاكراشم رشع ةيناثم ىلع ملاسلإا نع تامولعلما يدوزم نم ةعبرأو ًاقنتعم رشع ةع

و ،تامولعلما ق

ىوتمحو تلاباقمو ةمظنم هبش تناايبتسا نم ةيفلخاو ةيللجا تناايبلا ىلع لوصلحا تم د

جمنارب مادختسبا تناايبلا زيمرت تمو ،يعونلا ىوتلمحا تلايلتح مادختسا تم امك ،قئثاولا صوصن

NVivo

. دقلما تامولعلما رداصم نأ ةساردلا ينبتو تامولعلما رصانع ىلع يوتتح اهيلإ عوجرلا تم تيلاو ةم

ةمزلالا اًقفو تائفلل ىلع وحنلا يذلا في جذونم نوسليو كولسل تامولعلما ىدل ةنيعم ةجاح رثؤت ثيح ،

ىرخأ ةئف تاجاح نم رثكأ وأ ةدحاو ىلع ةدحاو ةئف .

ضعب تاروصت فلاتخا نم مغرلا ىلعو

امولعلما رداصلم ملاسلإل ينقنتعلما تاهاتجلاا ضعب كانه تناك ،ةيبايجإ وأ ةيبلس تناك ءاوس ،اهسفن ت

لىإ رظنُي ناك ينح يفف ،ةفلتمخ ةيناكس تايفلخ نم اوناك ابهاحصأ نأ نم مغرلا ىلع تاروصتلل ةماعلا تايرثتأ اله نأ ىلع ةروشنم وأ ةعوبطم تناكأ ًءاوس لاكشلأاو عاونلأا فلتمخ نم تامولعلما رداصم نإف ،ةفلتمخ ةزيمم رثاآ ًاضيأ صاخشلأل نأ تدجو تامولعملل رداصمك تامظنلما وأ صاخشلأا ةسارد

يه ةيملاسلإا تامولعلما رداصم في نيأو اذالمو فيكو اذامو نم تاعوضوم تناك دقف ،مهبيلاسلأ ةجيتن ملاسلإا يقنتعم ىدحتت تيلا يااضقلا اله نإف ًاظفل ًةلوقنم وأ ةبوتكم تامولعلما تناك ًءاوسو .

راودأ

يئارقتسلاا جهنلما نم جئاتنلا هذه تتأ ،ضعبلا اهضعب ماتمإو دفر للاخ نم ةاواسلما مدق ىلع ةمهم

ثحبلا اذله

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APPROVAL PAGE

The thesis of Habsah bt. Abdul Rahman has been approved by the following:

______________________________

Roslina Othman Supervisor

______________________________

Imad Fakhri Taha Al-Shaikhli Internal Examiner

______________________________

Jabreel Hassan M. Al-Arishee External Examiner

______________________________

Zawiyah Mohammad Yusof External Examiner

______________________________

Radwan Jamal Yousef Hussein Chairman

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated and I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted as a whole from my other degrees at IIUM or other institutions.

Habsah bt. Abdul Rahman

Signature ……… Date ………..

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INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH

THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION SOURCES ABOUT ISLAM: A CASE STUDY OF MALAYSIA

I declare that the copyright holder of this thesis is Habsah bt. Abdul Rahman

No part of this unpublished research may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the

copyright holder except as provided below.

1. Any material contained in or derived from this unpublished research may only be used by others in their writing with due acknowledgement.

2. IIUM or its library will have the right to make and transmit copies(print or electronic) for institutional and academic purpose.

3. The IIUM library will have the right to make, store in a retrieval system and supply copies of this unpublished research if requested by other universities and research libraries.

By signing this form, I acknowledged that I have read and understand the IIUM Intellectual Property Right and Commercialization policy.

Affirmed by Habsah bt. Abdul Rahman

……… …………..………

Signature Date

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To my late parents

Abdul Rahman b. Isa Al-Zubaidi and Latifah bt. Abdul Aziz Al-Hasawi for educating me and for their visionary ideas.

To my late mentor Prof Muhammad Al-Mahadi

(Author of The Unified Theory of Existence) for insisting that I pursue a PhD.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All Glory is due to Allah, The Almighty, Whose Grace and Mercy kept me going through trying times; and Peace be upon His Beloved Messenger.

I wish to record my gratitude to my beloved husband Mohd Firdous for supporting my dreams and together with our children Aliya and Saqhib for their doa and patience in enduring my recurrent absence as companion and mother throughout my task of completing this thesis.

To Prof. Dr Roslina Othman thank you for the long years of supervision, and checking through my progress to ensure that I finally complete my work. My heartfelt appreciation goes to the members of the Viva Committee for the suggestions, advice and recommendations which have helped me produce a more polished piece of work.

Prof. Dr. Imad, Jazakallahu Khairan Kathira for guiding me in the final phase of my work.

The consistent encouragement from my siblings Ted, Zah, Isa, Khalid, Zee, Fairos, Zubair and Hanim, and uncle, Ammi Man as well as members of the Al- Zubaidi and Al-Hasawi family, I thank you all for your doa and ardent support.

Dearest Aliya, and Arina, my special appreciation for your assistance in the exasperating work of checking through my thesis and ensuring my references are in order. To my late brothers Mohd and Abdul Aziz, I shall always remember both of you in my doa as you both have always been my supporter in my endeavours. Finally Sara Azzubair, thank you for “finish it Ammati”as I have reached my finishing line.

To the Dean, academic staff and all at DLIS and KICT, my appreciation for your kindness and support throughout my long period at IIUM especially the ladies, Narieta, Shahran,Khaira and Pauziah. Appreciation to Muhammad Ihsan of CPS and special one to Dr. Basri Hassan for giving me the confidence. Jazakallah for the doa, Zo, Samiha, Roaya, Lat, Aini, S. Fatimah, Azan, Ayu, Musa, Shaher, Fujica, Yus and Suhana. Thank you also to others whom I may have missed your names but yet my sincere appreciation. Thank you of course to IIUM.

My greatest appreciation goes to all my Respondents who have willingly shared their experiences of their journey in Islam. I admire your perseverance through the challenges of a new way of life, and my doa is that Allah make it easy for all of you in your travel through life and May Allah Bless you and Grant you Jannah. Last but never least, my appreciation for the doa and encouragement from my very dear friends with “inner sight”. Your challenges in an environment of darkness, but yet bright and pure with hope and Faith in Allah, gave me no excuse to stop from where I started. I admire your survival in a challenging world. May Allah provide you with beautiful sight in Jannah. And to my other dear silent friends who may hear not, but have Faith in silence and yet understand my struggles, may Allah reward you with beautiful voices and hear them in Jannah. Amen.

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1 Research Objectives and Research Questions 15

Table 2.1 Summary of Studies about Information Behaviour 21

Table 2.2 Summary of Studies About Muslim Converts and Islamic Information 26

Table 2.3 Summary of Studies on Information Provision about Islam in Malaysia 33 Table 5.1 Sufficiency of Cognitive Info Needs 104

Table 5.2 Sufficiency of Affective Info Needs 110

Table 5.3 Sufficiency of Physiological Info Needs 114

Table 5.4 Sufficiency of Spiritual Info Needs 116

Table 5.5 “What Is”- Basic / Introductory 120

Table 5.6 “What Is”- Intermediate 122

Table 5.7 “How To” 125

Table 5.8 Experiences of Muslim Converts 126

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1 Wilson’s Revised General Model of Information Behaviour 23

Figure 2.2 Dervin’s Sense-Making Model Re-drawn 25

Figure 3.1 Research Design Process Flow 44

Figure 3.2 A General Model of Wilson’s Information Seeking Behaviour 45

Figure 3.3 Imported Sources into NVivo 66

Figure 3.4 Nodes Creation for Autocoding 67

Figure 4.1 Respondents Demographic Nodes Classification 75

Figure 4.2 Questionnaire Transcripts Imported into NVivo 76

Figure 4.3 Interviews and Questionnaires Imported into NVivo 77

Figure 4.4 Respondents Perception by Categories 78

Figure 4.5 Text Search Query -“Learn” 80

Figure 4.6 Word Frequencies Queries - “Understand” 81

Figure 4.7 Different Meanings of “Understand” In-Context 82

Figure 4.8 Perception “Used or Useful” 85

Figure 4.9 Need for Additional Information Sources 86

Figure 4.10 Perceptions - People as Info Sources 87

Figure 4.11 Perceptions - Expectations Upon Lifestyle 90

Figure 4.12 Perceptions - People as Info Providers 92

Figure 4.13 Perceptions - Gaps in Affective Info Provision 93

Figure 4.14 Perceptions - Information Providers 95

Figure 4.15 Perceptions - Physiological Information 96

Figure 4.16 People as Physiological Info Providers 97

Figure 4.17 Perceptions - Spiritual Information 100

Figure 6.1 Model of Information Services for Muslim Converts 136

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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious; for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path, and who are truly guided." (Qur’an, An-Nahl: 125).

There are many not yet Muslims amongst our societies both around the globe and in Malaysia. Regardless which part of the world they reside, there is opportunity for Muslims to share Islam with provided there is patience and perseverance. Not only are the opportunities vast but great rewards from Allah awaits people who work toward Fisabilillah (the way of Allah).

The starting point of searching for the Truth have usually been the point of questionable belief, disbelief or even no belief in other faiths. The diversion then, move towards finding information about “what is Islam?” Much has been written about discovery of Islam by many Reverts based on their experiences along the road to discovery. These writings are made up of those written by different authors who have come out of different faiths. The prospective Convert will then first, choose to read materials that provide a similar background that the writers have gone through in their lives before becoming Muslims. Ramadhan (2004) explained the experiences of Muslim Converts in the West as being demanding due to the need to immerse not only into the Islamic sources but also Islamic sciences together with Islamic knowledge.

Ramadhan considers it as a long, difficult, and sometimes dangerous journey which requires having knowledge of the specifics of Western history, the social, cultural,

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political, and economic dynamics. It thus becomes imperative that those who wish to remain loyal to the principles of their faith and ethics, are no less conscious that the challenges of societies present during various periods of time must also be confronted.

The reflection upon what one has believed or chose not to believe (Agnostic or Atheist), leads the Convert to a phase of realisation. The realisation is that of “what am I, who am I, where do I come from?”. Conflict of reason, excuses, refusal to admit the facts confronted is a natural and common scenario for the Convert. These challenging moments will create the desire for more information to clarify doubts and justify their decisions in becoming Muslims. Thus, a more fundamental source is needed to provide support for this uncertainty.

Understanding and accepting the Tawheed (Oneness) of Allah, is the essence in becoming a Muslim. Once the Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) is pronounced, a new Revert comes to the fold of Islam with many hopes of being guided on this right path so that he or she may fulfill the requirements satisfactorily. Various paths have been tracked in the course of reaching the destiny of Islam. These paths may have involved much searching through readings, observations and consultations which may range from as short as a year or as long as umpteen years. Sharing these experiences with others alike is commendable as the path of information searching about Islam is not as easy as it may seem for a new convert because of it being a new experience and therefore, involves many challenges.

New Converts need a sense of common belonging to provide support, confidence and motivation that they are making and moving towards the right direction. In most cases, this period is an exposure, an observation, reflection and self- searching phase.

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Besides information that are readily available on the Internet, brochures too are available from masaajid (mosques) and Islamic centres. Much of what has been written is of importance to the convert as an introduction to the questions of why, how to, and when to move into the Islamic practices and rituals.

As people act on information that they have, it is therefore important that the information must be correct so that a corresponding action is a correct one.

Misinformation of late has been one of the causes of wrong actions. Interpretations of the fundamentals of Islamic teachings reflect this trend. One cause is that the average information seeker is being overwhelmed by the multiple format of information. Too much of information for someone who is new to Islam may be confusing and demanding as the person would not know how to differentiate between the basics and fundamentals of their new found religion. The issue is also about how an average user or information seeker identifies what is wrong or right and reliable. Having correct and appropriate information about Islam would be of help to information seekers from Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and specifically of importance to Muslim Converts.

Roald (2004) found that new Muslims who encounter multiplicity of Islamic views tend to be confused. New Muslims do not merely settle for the cultural expressions of born Muslims but make an effort to search for Truth from the pure sources, that being Al-Qur’an and Al-Ahadith.

As stated in Al-Qur’an (An-Nur: 54);

“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (the rophet) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allah's Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way”.

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With reference to the Qur’anic injunction, it is therefore important, and a requirement, that by obeying Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam, a Muslim will be rightly guided. Without the required explanations and illustrations given by the Prophet, The Qur'an may be misunderstood and misinterpreted by people. The Qur’an therefore, has been explained by Prophet Muhammad Sallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam to his companions and he had explained and demonstrated how the Qur'anic verses must be read and understood.

The Hadith and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Sallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam would help Muslim Converts understand and appreciate Islam better through the examples of the Prophet Sallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam. The importance and position of the Hadith must therefore be included when teaching Islam to anyone. However, observations made at some centres in Malaysia noticed that there was not much incorporation of the Ahadith in the introduction of Islam to Converts.

As much as Muslims need to understand and strengthen their Faith through life-long learning, Muslim Converts too must be made to understand and adopt such practices. It is therefore vital that Faith in Tawheed or Belief in One God, Allah must be strengthened. Faith in Tawheed can be further strengthened through understanding and strengthening of the Faith in the Prophets, Angels, Kitab (Revealed Books), life after death and Predestination. Without these basic understanding, Muslim Converts would be missing much in the fundamental Beliefs of Islam.

How are Muslim Converts to know if such information are not being exposed, made available and taught? Literature , guidebooks, handbooks and other support information about Islamic practices must therefore be a part and parcel of Converts’

learning process in becoming a practicing Muslim. Once learned and taught,

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unnecessary pressures and expectations upon new comers to Islam could possibly be avoided.

Becoming Muslim is not the end of the journey to the discovery of Truth. As Zebiri (2014) explained, it is the beginning of a long journey of life-long learning.

Steadfast (istiqamah) is the key to maintaining faith, that will provide strength in seeking improvement, for the attainment of better and stronger Iman (Faith). Being among the few early organisations in propagating Islam worldwide, The Muslim World League emphasised the important phases in promoting a sound ideology which are, the importance of education and training, followed by purification from one’s past faith and finally establishing perfection of understanding (Poston, 1998).

1.2 INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM IN MALAYSIA

Organisations in Malaysia that are in the forefront of dakwah activities are made up of government as well as non-governmental institutions (NGO’s). Since the seventies, there were many pamphlets on the basic introduction of Islamic teachings and practices in various local languages produced and provided by JAKIM (Jabatan Agama Islam Malaysia), which is the Islamic Religious Affairs Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department. As an NGO, PERKIM (Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia), which is the Organisation for Islamic Welfare Malaysia, where it was established in 1960 and is one of the longest surviving NGO that has been in the forefront of dakwah activities.

Later, the processes of learning Islam in the English language are limited to the few commonly used literature that has been adapted from WAMY (World Muslim Youths) brochures. Others include writings by Mawdudi and various other brochures produced by JAKIM, PERKIM Islamic Outreach-ABIM, al-Khaadem and Jemaah

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Islah Malaysia (JIM) and many others, mushrooming since the nineties. These organisations initially distribute information materials produced by JAKIM, PERKIM and ABIM while at the same time provided some form of training which have been useful to many newcomers to Islam.

The proliferation of information materials on Islam may cause new Converts to feel overwhelmed and unsure of choosing the appropriate material for their understanding. It would be helpful if new Converts are provided with the relevant reading materials according to their level of understanding. However, it is sometimes not straightforward as choice are sometimes limited to what is available. Therefore, some may pick reading materials that are for intermediate or advanced level of understanding while others may have focused on issues of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) that have surpassed basic practices of the fundamental teachings of Islam.

In Malaysia, published statistics on Muslim Converts are unavailable. Internal information from authorities could not be disclosed due to specific reasons. This researcher had sought to obtain the statistics from one of the state departments on various aspects of Converts but such statistics were unavailable. An official request was also made to the Statistics Department, but was informed that they have not carried out such surveys on the demographics of Muslim Converts. Based on the last population census of 2010, the statistics of the population distribution by religion is 61.3 percent Muslims, 19.8 percent Buddhists, 9.2 percent Christians 6.3 percent Hindus and the rest include other religions. These statistics however did not have details relating to Muslim Converts. Based on the 2010 census, the researcher used the figure for Muslims by “race categories” as this category would provide an overview and estimation. Accordingly, as at 2010, the last census conducted, the number of

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Chinese Muslims were at 42,048 and Indian Muslims were at 78,702. Since a big portion of Indian Muslims are born Muslims, the figure of Converts from their race would be much less. As for the Chinese, not many are known to be born Muslims and therefore, the estimate for Chinese Muslim Converts would be comparatively more than the Indians. Based on these estimations this researcher therefore expect that these people who are mostly English speakers, would need English materials and in the case of Islamic information there would be a greater demand for such information about Islam. Not only are the Chinese and Indians conversant in the English language due to the educational background being educated through English as the medium of instruction but there are the other races who are also with similar backgrounds in education and therefore would prefer and need information sources in the English language.

The specific state figures was only available from one of the state departments under study. The statistics provided had greater detail as it provided information with specific ethnic composition of Chinese, Indians and others and the numbers of conversion by year. It is a reflection of an indirect increase in need for information about Islam by Converts between the year 2007 to 2013. Over this period there were 547 Chinese converts, 555 Indian Converts and 812 others (other races). As mentioned by one of the officers, the availability of information sources in the English language is limited

1.2.1 Muslim Converts’ Information Needs

Based on this researcher’s involvement with some conversion cases, it is observed that the relevant Departments supply reading and reference materials to new Converts in both the Malay and English language and some also provide in the vernacular

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languages. They are given initial explanation and will contact the Converts whenever there are training programmes or seminars organised from time to time. Usually Converts may not be able to attend most of the programs due to inconvenience of time and venue. Being new to Islam, Converts do not immediately announce their conversion due to their own personal reasons. As such more often than not, they may not be able to grasp much of the basic fundamentals and thereby may or may not be able to practice some of the compulsory injunctions like prayers or fasting. This would thus make them less informed and less knowlegable about the practices. As such Converts must be provided with the necessary Islamic information. As Jensen (2006) explained, Danish Converts as information seekers relate their information seeking to the meaning of life, and the desire for something beyond oneself, for transcendence.

This researcher’s interactions with some Muslim Converts in Malaysia showed that some took a while before declaring the Shahadah. The notion of having to know everything of the other four fundamental requirements; prayers, fasting, zakat and Hajj are challenging expectations for people who have just embraced Islam. An example is when Muslim Converts in various observed cases were expected to be able to read the surahs from al-Qur’an as a requirement in prayers after Al-Fatihah.

Since their Believe is strong and powerful, they strive and struggle to memorise the verses from Al-Qur’an thus adding pressure in having to memorise a language so alien to their tongues. These impositions by Muslims upon newcomers to the Faith have become a challenging part of their life becoming Muslims because they are not provided and trained in the fundamentals and are not aware of the sources of related information.

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Thus, with the case of this research in finding out the perception of Muslim Converts on information sources about Islam, this research must, as a pre-requisite base that investigation from the perspective of fulfilling the information needs of the Converts from various perspectives and angles.

1.3 DEFINITIONS: CONCEPTUAL AND OPERATIONAL

The definitions of terms used in this research is based on usage of terms in previous studies about Converts, information behavior and that as defined from the Islamic perspective as described in the Qur’an and Ahadith. The following terms are used in this research in relation to the studying on perceptions of Muslim Converts on information sources about Islam.

i. Affective need – Pertaining to feelings, emotions and moods (Corsini, 2002).

ii. Cognitive need – A curiosity, exploratory drive to observe and comprehend (Corsini).

iii. Code - In qualitative inquiry it is most often a word or phrase that captures the essence and evocative attribute of language-based or visual data. The data may be contained in interview transcripts, participant observation or field notes, journals, and other documented information from, Internet sites, e-mail correspondence or literature.

(Krippendorff, 2013).

iv. Conversion - Turning to new systems of belief, and modes of relating to diety (Rambo,1993).

iv. Conversion to Islam - Voluntary testimony by declaration of kalimah shahadah ( I bear witness that there is no god to be worshipped except

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Allah and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad is the final Messenger of Allah) after accepting and confirming the Truth of Islam after knowledge and realization. (Sayyid Buhar, Mohd Syukri &

Zawiyah, 2013).

v. Content analysis - A research technique to make inferences from texts or other documents to the contexts of their use. (Krippendorff, 2013).

vi. Information behaviour - The totality of human behaviour in relation to sources and channels of information including both active and passive information seeking, and use. (Wilson, 2000).

vii. Information behavior - The currently preferred term to describe ways in which human beings interact with information such as the ways in which people seek and utilize information (Bates, 2010).

viii. Information seeking behavior - The purposive seeking for information as a consequence of a need to satisfy some goal (Wilson, 2000).

ix. Information searching behavior - The ‘micro-level’ of behavior employed by the searcher in interacting with information systems of all kinds (Wilson, 2000).

x. Information sufficiency - is a concept defined as a person’s assessment of the amount of information he or she needs to cope with, example risks. (Griffin, Neuwirth, Dunwoody, & Giese, 2004)

xi. Information use - interpreting the value of information sources generally, and directing action (Savolainen as cited in Kari, 2010).

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xii. Muslim Convert - A person who has voluntarily testified the Faith of Islam after understanding its meaning and accepting its message.

(Sayyid Buhar, Mohd Syukri & Zawiyah, 2013).

xiii. Need – Any desire for object possession or any desire to achieve a goal (Lewin, 1999).

xiv. Perception - The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. ( Soanes & Stevenson, 2003).

xv. Physiological need – The most basic level of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; survival needs ((Lewin).

xvi. Sources – any person, book, organization, and so forth from which information and evidence is obtained ( Collins English dictionary, 2006).

xvii. Spiritual - The experience of existence beyond physical or psychological, Decker (as cited in Kari, 2007).

xviii. Spiritual Need – Need for Transcendent reality, Zinnbauer et. al. (as cited in Kari, 2007).

1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The scenarios amongst Muslim Converts, daees and organisations and institutions involved in the activities of dakwah is one involving information provision through Islamic literature (books, pamphlets, guides and others) or through practical guidance, training and counseling. In one situation it could be the occurance of information overload while in another it may be insufficient and inadequate information provision (Young, 2010). In some cases, there are instances whereby they are either left and not efficiently attended to or even misguided . As for Muslim Converts in

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Malaysia, while adapting life in a new Faith, Converts become overwhelmed by both the social stress and inadequacy of Islamic knowledge (Sayyid Buhar, Mohd Syukri &

Zawiyah, 2013).

Eletebry (2010) noted the important role of information while Ernst (2010) found information about Islam being too academic. In addition Young, (2010) found issues and challenges in obtaining Islamic information. In Malaysia, literature reviewed showed little focus on the study of information behavior and needs of Muslim Converts or their perception of available information. In their study, Sayyid Buhar, Mohd Syukri & Zawiyah though acknowledged inadequacy of Islamic knowledge, focussd their study on the social issues of Muslim Converts. Fuadah, Muhammad Ridhwan, Mohd Faisol & Ahmad Fahme (2013) study about Muslim Converts was however only focused on zakat distribution. Another study by Azaruddin (2015) about Muslim Converts only looked into factors for conversion.

Another study about Muslim Converts that had some input on information provision was by. Halim (2015) but however were more focused on outreach and dakwah (missionary activities). The perspective of past studies were therefore not aligned toward information provision specifically.

Gaps in available information sources about Islam specifically for Muslim Converts have created barriers and challenges in adapting to a new way of life as Muslims due to lack of knowledge in practicing the Islamic Creed. Information about Islam is the key factor and element for knowledge acquisition and thereby providing a better understanding of the requirements of a newly embraced Faith. However, Muslim Converts in Malaysia, who seek Islamic information face problems because available information are not from the perspective of their information needs but rather for general consumption of Muslims who have been practicing the religion for a

THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION

THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION

SOURCES ABOUT ISLAM : A CASE STUDY OF MALAYSIA

BY

HABSAH ABDUL RAHMAN

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and

Information Science

Kulliyyah of Information & Communication Technology International Islamic University Malaysia

APRIL 2017

ABSTRACT

ثحبلا ةصلاخ

.

تامدخ يرفوت في ًياويح ًارمأ رداصلما هذه لىإ ملاسلإا يقنتعم ةرظن مهف لكشيو و

ةيلعاف تاذ تامولعم

مله . رداصم ةيافكو ىودج لوح يازيلام في ملاسلإل ينقنتعلما كاردإ نع هذه ةلالحا ةسارد تلمتشا

برأ مهنيب نم ًاكراشم رشع ةيناثم ىلع ملاسلإا نع تامولعلما يدوزم نم ةعبرأو ًاقنتعم رشع ةع

و ،تامولعلما ق

ىوتمحو تلاباقمو ةمظنم هبش تناايبتسا نم ةيفلخاو ةيللجا تناايبلا ىلع لوصلحا تم د

جمنارب مادختسبا تناايبلا زيمرت تمو ،يعونلا ىوتلمحا تلايلتح مادختسا تم امك ،قئثاولا صوصن

. دقلما تامولعلما رداصم نأ ةساردلا ينبتو تامولعلما رصانع ىلع يوتتح اهيلإ عوجرلا تم تيلاو ةم

ةمزلالا اًقفو تائفلل ىلع وحنلا يذلا في جذونم نوسليو كولسل تامولعلما ىدل ةنيعم ةجاح رثؤت ثيح ،

ىرخأ ةئف تاجاح نم رثكأ وأ ةدحاو ىلع ةدحاو ةئف .

ضعب تاروصت فلاتخا نم مغرلا ىلعو

امولعلما رداصلم ملاسلإل ينقنتعلما تاهاتجلاا ضعب كانه تناك ،ةيبايجإ وأ ةيبلس تناك ءاوس ،اهسفن ت

راودأ

يئارقتسلاا جهنلما نم جئاتنلا هذه تتأ ،ضعبلا اهضعب ماتمإو دفر للاخ نم ةاواسلما مدق ىلع ةمهم

ثحبلا اذله

.

APPROVAL PAGE

DECLARATION

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF COPYRIGHT AND AFFIRMATION OF FAIR USE OF UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH

THE PERCEPTION OF MUSLIM CONVERTS ON THE USEFULNESS AND ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION SOURCES ABOUT ISLAM: A CASE STUDY OF MALAYSIA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION