The Journal of Islamic Heritage and Civilization hereby states and formally declares that this statement constitutes the official ethical standards governing all parties involved in the publication process of articles within the Journal, including authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher. This policy is explicitly formulated in reference to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors and is enforced to safeguard academic integrity, ensure transparency, and prevent all forms of misconduct in scholarly publishing.

The Journal states that the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal such as the Journal of Islamic Heritage and Civilization constitutes a fundamental element in the advancement of a reliable, credible, and respected body of scholarly knowledge. Such publication directly reflects the quality, integrity, and accountability of the authors and their supporting institutions. Peer-reviewed articles uphold the principles of the scientific method and academic rigor. Therefore, the Journal affirms that it is mandatory to establish, apply, and enforce agreed-upon standards of ethical behavior for all stakeholders in the publishing process, including authors, journal editors, peer reviewers, the publisher, and the broader scholarly community.

1. Publication Decisions (Responsibilities of Editors)

   The Journal states that the editors of Senarai bear full responsibility for making impartial, independent, and accountable decisions regarding which submitted articles shall be published. Such decisions must be driven by the validation of the manuscript’s academic significance to the scholarly community and readership. Editors are guided by the journal’s editorial board policies and are legally bound by applicable regulations concerning libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. Editors may consult with other editors or reviewers to inform their decisions; however, such consultation does not diminish their ultimate responsibility for the final decision.

2. Fair Play (Responsibilities of Editors)

   The Journal declares that editors shall evaluate manuscripts solely on the basis of intellectual merit and scholarly value. Any form of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors is strictly prohibited.

3. Confidentiality (Responsibilities of Editors and Editorial Staff)

   The Journal mandates that editors and all editorial staff must strictly maintain the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts. Information concerning a manuscript shall not be disclosed to any party other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisors, and the publisher, solely as appropriate and necessary for the proper execution of the editorial process.

4. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest (Responsibilities of Editors)

   The Journal states that unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used by an editor for personal research or benefit without the explicit written consent of the author. Editors are required to recuse themselves from handling manuscripts in which they have any conflict of interest that could compromise objectivity or editorial independence.

5. Duties of Reviewers
   • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: The Journal affirms that peer review plays a vital and indispensable role in assisting editors in making informed editorial decisions and in helping authors improve their manuscripts through constructive and scholarly feedback.
   • Promptness: Any invited reviewer who considers themselves unqualified to review the research presented in a manuscript, or who is unable to complete the review within a reasonable timeframe, must immediately notify the editor and formally decline the invitation.
   • Confidentiality: Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents and must be treated as such. Reviewers are strictly prohibited from sharing or discussing the manuscript with others unless explicitly authorized by the editor.
   • Standards of Objectivity: Reviews must be conducted objectively and professionally, with a primary focus on the scholarly merit of the work. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate and unacceptable. Reviewers must clearly articulate their assessments and provide reasoned arguments and supporting evidence.
   • Acknowledgement of Sources: Reviewers are obligated to identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any claim that an observation, derivation, or argument has been previously reported must be supported by an appropriate citation. Reviewers must also alert the editor to any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and other published works of which they have personal knowledge.
   • Disclosure and Conflict of Interest: Privileged information or ideas obtained through the peer-review process must be kept strictly confidential and must not be used for personal gain. Reviewers must not agree to review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions associated with the submitted work.
6. Duties of Authors
   • Reporting Standards: The Journal states that authors reporting original research must present an accurate, complete, and comprehensive account of the work performed, accompanied by an objective discussion of its significance. The underlying data must be accurately represented. Fabricated or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are strictly unacceptable.
   • Data Access and Retention: Authors may be required to provide raw data for editorial review and must be prepared to make such data publicly accessible where feasible. Authors are also required to retain the data for a reasonable period following publication.
   • Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and that all sources, including text, data, figures, and tables, are appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in any form constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is strictly prohibited.
   • Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication: Authors must not submit manuscripts describing essentially the same research to more than one journal or primary publication concurrently. Simultaneous submissions and redundant publication without proper justification and cross-referencing are unethical and unacceptable.
   • Acknowledgement of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is mandatory. Authors must cite all publications that have significantly influenced the reported work.
   • Authorship of the Paper: Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All qualifying contributors must be listed as co-authors. The corresponding author bears full responsibility for ensuring authorship accuracy and approval.
   • Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects: Where research involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment with unusual hazards, such hazards must be clearly identified and appropriate safety precautions stated. Research involving human or animal subjects must include ethics committee approval and confirmation of compliance with applicable guidelines.
   • Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest: All authors must disclose any financial or substantive conflicts of interest that could influence the interpretation of the research. All sources of financial support must be clearly acknowledged.
   • Fundamental Errors in Published Works: Authors who discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work are ethically obligated to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate fully in correction or retraction, including erratum, corrigendum, or retraction notices.