The economic growth in India has been impressive in the last few decades, yet it continues to be a home for millions of poor. The poverty measures debate across the developing world has generated more heat than light as there is no consensus on constructing the poverty line. Characterization of poverty and heterogeneity of the poor needs more profound understanding and investigation. This paper attempts to provide an alternative framework to track Chronic and Transient poverty through decile density analysis and the Chronic-Transient Poverty Ratio by applying the Kernel Density function for the National Sample Survey Organisation’s consumer expenditure distribution in 55th, 61st, 66th, and 68th quinquennial rounds. An increase and a stagnant CTP ratio for urban and rural India implies that poverty reduction interventions are less impactful in rural India. A renewed thrust on poverty alleviation programmes is required in Urban India. Other developing and underdeveloped countries can emulate the proposed framework to analyze chronic and transient poverty conditions.

This article reviews the use of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) mechanism in delivering enterprise education to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria. Using desk research and review of system performance report, the suitability of the IVR mechanism as an alternative approach towards ensuring inclusiveness in entrepreneurship education is highlighted. The review revealed that deploying learning systems that take into considerations geographical locations without internet infrastructure and also socio-economic factors of intending and existing entrepreneurs for enterprise education is crucial and equally promising. The challenges and opportunities of online and continuing education during the COVID-19 pandemic are summarized. There is the need for further exploration of IVR interventions to make them more effective and policy interventions on affordable online teaching and learning platforms accessible to persons of varied economic divide.

Muḥāsabat al-nafs (self-accountability or self-reflection) is a concept referring to the spiritual practice developed by early Muslim scholars in the field of Sufism and Islamic psychology. It is principally founded on the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Al-muḥāsabah as a spiritual method signifying cleansing and illuminating a self/soul is widely practiced by followers and adherents of the spiritual path in Islam. It embodies a well-constructed procedure within the spiritual process called Tazkiyat al-Nafs (the Purification of the Soul). Since the notion of al-nafs denotes several connotations mainly related to human being, its nature from the very beginning of Islam occupies not only the central question in Islamic scholarship, but also the essential subject in Islamic spirituality. The nafs is endowed with numerous qualities and powers both, positive and negative. The positive or good qualities of it need to be cherished and cultivated, while the negative or evil ones ought to be cleansed and eradicated. It is believed that all evil qualities of the soul are source/s of sinful thoughts, words and deeds that usually lead to harmful, violent and catastrophic consequences triggered by it. Thus, in order to properly address the issue of a conflict, it is required to start with the very nature of human self or soul as the most feasible cause. In this article we examine the role of al-muḥāsabah or self-reflection in conflict resolution.

The phenomenon of young individuals struggling with their religious beliefs can lead to wide-ranging consequences. Existing studies are dominantly Western in context, which may not be applicable in other settings. Therefore, as contextualized and rationalized through an Islamic perspective, the present study aims to build a framework to explore religious struggle. Through a qualitative research design, multiple methods were employed: responses from six Muslim interviewees were reconstructed into a single monologue using composite narrative method, and then narrative analysis was done, followed by method theory and domain theory analyses being conducted. Constructs were identified and discussed, theories as lenses to view the phenomenon were employed, and further evaluations of the phenomenon and relevant constructs were done. A discussion was integrated with each analysis. Through synthesizing the findings, I propose a framework called the religious struggle framework (RSF). With the RSF’s flexible, adaptable, and modifiable nature, the framework can be used beyond the present study’s population. It can be utilized in both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Limitations and recommendations for further research were also presented.

The concept of dialogue entails a conversation or discussion between two or more individuals or groups about a subject of interest or a problem that requires resolution with the consent of all parties involved in that discussion. Apart from the essential elements for a successful dialogue such as receptiveness, attentiveness, respect for diverse opinions, skillful communication, the dialogue also necessitates good intentions and right manners by which it is to be performed with prolific and lasting results. In this paper, our aim is to discuss the concept of tazkiyat al-nafs (purification of the soul/self) and its impact on an effective dialogue in both, its internal and external connotations of which the second is not other than a reflection of the first, namely, a sort of introfaith dialogue, conducted between positive and negative powers or virtues and vices situated within a self.