Da’wah Policies and Strategies of Religious Institutions towards Prisoners in Sustaining Human Civilization in Sabah, Malaysia

The implementation of da'wah is not solely the responsibility of designated preachers; rather, it is a duty that should be embraced by every individual who identifies as a Muslim. However, for da'wah to be effective, it must be executed through systematic and well-planned strategies prior to any actual engagement. This is because well organized and impactful da'wah efforts contribute to the development of a morally upright and civilized society, thereby playing a vital role in sustaining human civilization particularly in the context of Sabah. Considering this, the present study was conducted to examine the da'wah policies and strategies implemented by religious institutions towards prisoners in Sabah. It also explores the collaborative roles of the Sabah State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS), the All-Sabah Islamic Organisation (USIA), and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in delivering da'wah to inmates across the state. This research adopts a qualitative approach, employing literature review and interviews with prison officers who are considered the closest personnel to the inmates. Findings indicate that the core mission of these three religious institutions centers on community based da'wah outreach whether targeting Muslims or non-Muslims. Nevertheless, the primary responsibility for prison-based da'wah has been entrusted to JAKIM as the government designated agency. Despite this division of roles, all three institutions collaborate in efforts to uphold and preserve human civilization in Sabah. This study is expected to serve as a valuable reference for da'wah practitioners, particularly in guiding the dissemination of da'wah materials to marginalized and at-risk groups in various settings.

Da'wah policies and strategies, religious institutions

1. Abd. Rahaman, M. Z. R., & Don, A. G. (2018). Pendekatan Dakwah Bi Al-Hal Terhadap Masyarakat Orang Asli Di Malaysia. At-Tahkim 8(15): 1-6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Abdul Razak, A.A., & Abdul Rahim, M. H. (2017). Dakwah Bil Hal dalam Konteks Masyarakat Semasa di Malaysia. Prosiding Persidangan Antarabangsa Kelestarian Insan 2017 (INSAN2017) Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia, 1– 2 November 2017. 1-11. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adam, F., Anuar, M., & Ali, A. H. (2014). The Use of Blog as A Medium of Islamic Da’wah inMalaysia. International Journal of Sustainable Human Development, 2(2):74-80. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. al-Bayanuniyy, M. A. F. (2010). al-Madkhal Ila Ilmi Ad-Da’wah. Beirut, Lubnan: Darul Risalah al-Alamiyah. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Allred, S. L. (2009). The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program: Impact, structure, content, and implications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Aminudin. (2018). Facebook Sebagai Media Dakwah. Ejournal.Iainkendari.Ac.Id/Al- Munzir/Article/Download/796/726. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Ariffin, A. (2012). Sejarah Penubuhan JHEAINS, Perkembangan Dakwah di Sandakan. Temu Bual, 23 Ogos. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Borhan, A. H. (2015). Faktor Tarikan Dakwah Mohd Fadli Yusof dalam Pengislaman Masyarakat Non-Muslim di Pedalaman Pensiangan, Sabah. Jurnal Usuluddin. Vol. 42 (Julai–Disember 2015): 77-99. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Creswell, J. W. (1994). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Tradition. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Don, A. G. & Abd. Ghani. Z. (2009). Dakwah Kepada Non-Muslim di Malaysia: Konsep, Metode dan Pengalaman. Bangi: Jabatan Pengajian Dakwah dan Kepimpinan, Fakulti Pengajian Islam, UKM. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Graves, B. D., et al. (2024). Community-based substance uses treatment programs for reentering justice-involved adults: A scoping review. Health & Justice. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Gunaish, C. F., Abdullah, M. F., Mokhtar, S., Abd Wahab, N., & Tahir, A. (2024). Daʿwah through Documentary Films Produced by Malayan Film Unit (MFU) and Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM), 1957-1970. Intellectual Discourse, 32(1). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Had, A. (2014). Dakwah Melalui Internet di Malaysia: Masalah dan Cabaran. Seminar Antarabangsa Dakwah dan Etnik: Perspektif Multi-disiplin. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Hajimin, M. N. H. H., Muis, A., M. R. A., Mokhtar, S., Othman, I. W., Esa, M. S., Ationg, R., & Hamid, J. A. (2021). Gerakan Dakwah dan Impaknya Terhadap Peningkatan Komposisi Muslim di Sabah. International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 6 (23), 125-139. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Hunt, K. (2024). Prison chaplaincy as a micro aggressive environment for the non-religious. Religions, 15(5), 597. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Ibrahim, S., Talib, O., dan Puteh, A. (2002). Dakwah Kepada Masyarakat Muslim di Malaysia. UKM: Jabatan Pengajian Dakwah dan Kepimpinan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Ilham. (2019). Implementasi Dakwah dalam Peningkatan Kesadaran Hukum. Al-Tajdid. Vol. I No.1 /March. 45-58. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Jalal, B., Ismail, S.A., & Ghani, S. A. (2018). Dinamika Pendakwah Melaksana Dakwah Pelbagai Etnik. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, Vol. 9, Issue 1, (February) ISSN 2289-9855. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Johnson, B. R. (2002). Assessing the impact of religious programs and prison industry on recidivism: An exploratory study. Crime & Justice International, 18(61), 9–31. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. LaBarbera, R., et al. (2025). A mixed methods evaluation of well-being among incarcerated religious education participants in the United States. Health & Justice. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Lesmana P. L. A., Suryana, A. T., Suresman, E. 2015. Implementasi Dakwah Islam melalui Seni Musik Islami. Tarbawy, Vol. 2, Nombor 1, (2015). 33-46. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Maidin, I., Mokhtar, S., Othman, I. W., & Moharam, M. M. (2021). Peranan Motivasi Dakwah Dalam Bidang Keusahawanan: Satu Tinjauan Awal. International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB), 6 (37), 157 - 169. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Mohad, A. H., Mansur, K., & Mokhtar, R. A. M. (2016). Dakwah Islam di Sabah, Malaysia: Satu Eksplorasi Awal. Journal of Islamic Studies in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, 1(2) August 2016. 151-166. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Mohd. Yusof, M. F. (2013). Perkembangan Dakwah di Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia. Temu Bual, 23 April. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Mokhtar, S., Mohd Shah, M. K., Ramlie, H., Othman, I. W., Ationg, R., Esa, M. S., Marinsah, S. A. (2021d). Rekayasa Dakwah KBAT Dalam Kalangan Mahasiswa di Universiti Malaysia Sabah Menerusi Kursus Penghayatan Etika Dan Peradaban. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counselling6 (39), 178-193. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Mokhtar, S., Othman, I. W., Ationg, R., & Esa, M. S. (2021a). Implementasi Dakwah Terhadap Etnik Sungai Di Sabah: Satu Analisis Awal. Journal of Islamic, Social, Economics and Development (JISED), 6(40), 164 - 178. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Mokhtar, S., Othman, I. W., Moharam, M. M., & Maidin, I. (2021c). Dakwah Bil Akhlak Kontemporari: Satu Pendekatan Dalam Konsep Keusahawanan Islam. International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business (IJAFB), 6 (37), 111 - 123. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mokhtar, S., Pullong, A., Hasbollah, M. N. H., & Adam, S. D. A. (2022a). Kepentingan Ilmu Dakwah Terhadap Pendakwah Kontemporari Menurut Perspektif Muhammad Al-Ghazali: Satu Analisis. Journal of Islamic, Social, Economics and Development (JISED), 7(47), 324 - 337. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., & Ramlie, H. (2019). Pendekatan Dakwah JHEAINS terhadap Banduan di Penjara Sandakan: Satu Tinjauan Awal. Jurnal al-Hikmah. 11(2). 68-87. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Esa, M. S., Ibrahim, M. A., Talib, M. N. M. (2023b). Peranan Media Digital Dalam Dakwah Kontemporari Bagi Membentuk Kesepaduan Nasional Masyarakat di Malaysia. International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 8 (31), 47-60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Jampadin, A., Ibrahim, M. A., Shukri, J. A. A. (2025b). Rekayasa Dakwah Terhadap Masyarakat Suku Kaum Murut Di Sabah: Satu Analisis. International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 10 (41), 210-227. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Othman, I. W., Ahmad, M. K. L., & Ibrahim, M. A. (2025a). Implementation Of Da'wah for Bugis Community in Sabah: A Review. International Journal of Modern Education, 7 (25), 883-894. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Othman, I. W., Ationg, R., & Hj. Tahir, R. (2025c). Model Intervensi Dakwah Dalam Menangani Isu Keciciran Akademik: Satu Kajian Empirik Di Zon Ok9 Manggatal, Sabah. International Journal of Modern Education, 7 (26),1098-1115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Othman, I. W., Mohd Mokhtar, R. A., Abd Rahim, S., & Zaini, M. S. (2023a). Dakwah Bi Al-Nafs: Pemangkin Penularan Virus Mazmumah Dalam Kepimpinan Kendiri. Journal of Islamic, Social, Economics and Development (JISED), 8 (53), 230 – 241. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Mokhtar, S., Thia, K., Othman, I.W., & Moharam, M.M.H. (2021b). Prospek dan Cabaran Implementasi Dakwah dalam Media Kontemporari: Satu Analisis. Prosiding 5th International Conference on Teacher Learning and Development (ICTLD) 2021. 03 – 05 August 2021. 408-418. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Monib, S. A., Yasim, M. A. A., Jamari, M. N. T., Nurodin, M. H., Sattar, A. A. A., Talib, M. N. M., & Mokhtar, S. (2025). Cabaran Dan Implementasi Dakwah Dalam Program Amali Dakwah IPDAS 2024 Di Beaufort, Sabah. International Journal of Modern Education, 7 (25), 895-910. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Mukhtar, A. H. F., & Wan Muhayudin, A. A. (2025). Dakwah Islam Dan Penapisan Kandungan Oleh AI: Satu Analisis Kritis Terhadap Cabaran Pendakwah Media Sosial. International Journal of Law, Government and Communication, 10 (40), 192-202. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Philippon, C. N. (2018). Sending Students to Prison: An Impact Evaluation of the Inside-Out Program. Arizona State University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Shukri, J. A. A., Matarsat, D. E. A., Nayai, M. I. M., Rahmat, S. N., Salleh, M. S., Talib, M. N. M., & Mokhtar, S. (2025a). Pendekatan Dakwah Dalam Program Amali Dakwah IPDAS Tahun 2022 - 2024 Di Sabah. International Journal of Modern Education, 7 (25), 847-863. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Shukri, J. A. A., Zainal, A. N., Ismail, M. S., Talib, M. N. M., & Mokhtar, S. (2025b). Implementasi Dakwah Menerusi Program Dekat Di Hati ‘Anak Malaysia’ Di Kampung Mesilou Kundasang, Sabah: Satu Analisis. International Journal of Modern Education, 7 (25), 864-882. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Spradley, J. P. (1980). Participant observation. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Stansfield, R. (2018). Religious involvement, moral community and social ecology: Implications for prisoner outcomes. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Suhaimi, S. S. (2013). Perancangan dan Pelaksanaan Dawkah Islamiah USIA. Temu Bual, 23 April. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Taylor, S. J. & Bogdan, R. (1984). Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods: The Search for Meaning. Ed.2. New York: John Wiley and Sons. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Tibek, S. R. (2011). Wanita, Dakwah dan Media, Wanita Islam Isu-isu dan Pemerkasaan Hak Shah Alam: Persatuan Ulama Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Data Integration in Malaysian Syariah Courts: A Study of Challenges and Solutions
• The Concept of Family Well-Being from the Perspectives of Islam, Western Thought and Malaysia Madani
• Leveraging AI Tools for Islamic Scholarship: Podcast and eBook Innovations in Teaching the Sunni Intellectual Tradition
• Cryptocurrency and Shariah: Analyzing the Implications of Islamic Jurisprudence on Bitcoin and its Ethical Framework
• Islamic Credit Card and its Value-Based Proposition: A Perspective from Maqasid Al-Shariah