Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): Vol 1 No 1 June 2025

The International Journal of Law (IJL) proudly presents its inaugural volume, Vol. 1 No. 1 (June 2025), as a scholarly platform committed to advancing multidisciplinary legal discourse. This edition marks a significant milestone in legal publishing by offering an academic space where contemporary legal issues are critically examined through the lens of both secular and Islamic traditions. As an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, IJL is dedicated to promoting the integration of classical jurisprudence with the demands of modern legal systems and fostering scholarly collaboration across nations and disciplines. This first issue features contributions from scholars affiliated with institutions in two different countries—Indonesia and Malaysia—highlighting the growing importance of regional cooperation in legal scholarship. A total of nine institutions are represented in this edition: STAI Kh Muhammad Ali Shodiq Tulungagung (Indonesia), University College MAIWP International (Malaysia), UNHASY Tebuireng Jombang (Indonesia), MTs Margomulyo Blitar (Indonesia), UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung (Indonesia), Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) Blitar (Indonesia), IAIFA Kediri (Indonesia), UNWAHA Jombang (Indonesia), and Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Al-Falah Pamekasan (Indonesia). Their collective involvement reflects the journal’s interdisciplinary and inter-institutional character.

This volume includes five original research articles that explore pressing legal issues in today’s increasingly plural and global legal environment. The first article, "Constitutional Interpretation within Islamic and Western Legal Frameworks," examines how constitutional texts are interpreted differently across Islamic and Western legal systems, focusing on the roles of sovereignty, jurisprudence, and legal authority. The second article, "Enforcement Challenges in Human Rights Protection under International Law," investigates the legal, political, and institutional barriers that impede effective enforcement of human rights globally, despite the existence of normative frameworks. The third contribution, "Transforming Soft Law into Binding Commitments in International Human Rights," offers insights into how non-binding legal norms—such as declarations and principles—can evolve into binding international obligations, particularly in the realm of human rights law. The fourth article, "Ethical Objectives of Shariah and Their Impact on Contemporary Islamic Law," revisits the framework of maqasid al-shariah and evaluates its role in legal reform, social justice, and public policy in the Muslim world. The final article, "Contemporary Developments in Islamic Law, Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Administrative Law," provides a comparative analysis of how Islamic legal values are being codified and adapted in various legal domains across Muslim-majority states.

This inaugural volume affirms IJL’s vision to become a central academic platform for critical legal studies that integrate Islamic thought and global legal innovation. By encouraging scholarly exchange across jurisdictions and disciplines, IJL seeks to promote research that not only analyzes but also shapes the evolving landscape of law in the Muslim world and beyond. The editorial board expresses deep gratitude to all contributors, reviewers, and institutional partners. We warmly invite researchers, legal practitioners, and policy thinkers from around the world to participate in future editions as we continue to expand the global dialogue on law, justice, and ethics.