Data analytics competency and religiosity influence on external auditors' performance in Malaysia.

Background - Data analytics can support the external auditors' judgements. However, little is known about the external auditors' data analytics competency. Likewise, role of religiosity in enhancing the external auditors' performance is also inadequately investigated. This study examined: 1) the effects of data analytics competency on the external auditors' performance, and 2) the moderating effects of religiosity on data analytics competency and external auditors' performance relationship. Methods - Survey was conducted on 201 external auditors. Data analytics competency dimensions, namely, personal capabilities, professional expertise, technical skills, technologies and tools expertise were examined. Religiosity was measured by level and dimension (faith, virtue and optional). Results - Data analytics competency (personal capabilities) has a positive significant effect on the Muslim external auditors' performance. However, data analytics competency does not affect the performance of non-Muslim external auditors. Level of religiosity has significant moderating effect on the relationship between data analytics competency (technologies and tools expertise) and Muslim external auditors' performance. Nonetheless, level of religiosity does not moderate the relationship between data analytics competency and the performance of non-Muslim external auditors. Religiosity (virtue) has significant moderating effect on the relationship between data analytics competency (personal capabilities) and Muslim external auditors' performance. Meanwhile, religiosity (faith) has significant moderating effect on the relationship between data analytics competency (technologies and tools expertise) and non-Muslim external auditors' performance. Conclusion - This study demonstrates that data analytics competency and religiosity can influence the external auditors' performance.

ISIS' grammar of persuasion of hatred in the article 'The Kafir's blood is halal for you, so shed it' published in the Rumiyah magazine.

This study is to reveal the types of mood and their speech function realizations in a text (an article) issued in Rumiyah magazine entitled 'The Kafir's blood is halal for you, so shed it'. A discourse analysis with a qualitative approach is applied. The results of the analysis are then correlated with Kellermann and Cole's classification of compliance-gaining strategy to see the persuasion strategies applied. The results show that Rumiyah, in this text, mainly employs declarative mood to function as statements of opinion, statements of fact, and indirect directives. In terms of Kellermann and Cole's classification, the speech function realizations indicates six strategies of persuasion: The 'nature of situation' to deliver its opinions; the 'authority appeal' to present that the opinions and arguments come from very powerful sources; the 'duty' to show that hating and killing mushrikin (non-Muslims) is an honorable obligation of a Muslim; the 'logical empirical' to clarify and explain Allah's or the Prophet's words or statements; the 'assertion' to state forcefully an obligation or a prohibition of doing something; and the 'moral appeal' to get the readers' compliance by appealing to their moral standards. In this text, the statement of fact (TSSS technique) becomes the key element in persuading the readers.

Seeking Help in Domestic Violence Among Muslim Women in Muslim-Majority and Non-Muslim-Majority Countries: A Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Women from different backgrounds and cultures are at risk of domestic violence. Disclosing the abusive experience and seeking help is not straightforward and easy and might be a complicated and long-term process. Muslim women, like other groups of women, may face various barriers to disclose abusive relationships and for seeking help. Some of the barriers may be common for the majority of Muslim women in different contexts, while others might be related to women's situations and the wider society they live. To identify these barriers and make recommendations for future studies, this article reviews related papers conducted in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority countries. METHOD: A critical systematic review of the literature was conducted for identifying Muslim women's barriers in disclosing abuse and seeking help. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The main identified barriers are discussed into under four themes: social context, family context, individual factors, and expectations of service providers. CONCLUSIONS: Although the researchers tried to investigate various barriers in seeking help, many of them have not focused on structural obstacles. Besides, in many Muslim-majority countries, the issue has not been explored. Therefore, the results of the current article will not apply to those countries. Recommendation for future research comprises more qualitative research compatible with the women's cultures and backgrounds in different societies, focusing more on structural and cultural factors to explore and find women's barriers to seek help.

Parental factors affecting the circumcision of non-Muslim Chinese boys include education and family history.

AIM: This study investigated the prevalence of circumcision among non-Muslim schoolboys in Urumqi, China, and how acceptable their parents found the practice. METHODS: A convenient cluster sample of non-Muslim schoolboys (n = 3614) aged six to 15 years of age and 873 mothers and 927 fathers completed self-administered questionnaires. We compared the consistency of the circumcision status reported by students and their parents and analysed the factors that influenced the parents to have their child circumcised. RESULTS: The mean age at circumcision was 8.3 years and the adjusted prevalence was 46.2%. Up to 45.4% of fathers and 66% of mothers with uncircumcised sons were willing to circumcise their sons after receiving further information on circumcision. Mothers were more likely to support circumcision if they had higher education levels and higher family income, were employed as government officials and had family members who had been circumcised, including their husband. Fathers were more likely to support circumcision if they were highly educated and had been circumcised themselves. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and acceptability of circumcision were higher than expected in this traditional schoolboy population in Urumqi, China. Factors that increased parental support for circumcision included high education and the father being circumcised.

Experiences of Muslim and non-Muslim battered immigrant women with the police in the United States: a closer understanding of commonalities and differences.

Little research has been conducted to distinguish the unique experiences of specific groups of interpersonal violence victims. This is especially true in the case of battered Muslim immigrant women in the United States. This article examines battered Muslim immigrant women's experiences with intimate partner violence and their experiences with the police. Furthermore, to provide a more refined view related to battered Muslim immigrant women's situation, the article compares the latter group's experiences to battered non-Muslim immigrant women's experiences. Finally, we seek to clarify the similarities and differences between battered immigrant women aiming to inform responsive police service delivery.