SIASAT

The Evolution of Balaghah: From Pre-Islamic Rhetorical Practices to Post-Qur’anic Systematization in the Abbasid Era

Idris Siregar — 2026-04-01

Balaghah is a fundamental discipline in Arabic linguistics and Qur’anic studies that plays a crucial role in understanding linguistic beauty, semantic precision, and effective communication. This article examines the historical development of balaghah from the pre-Islamic period to the Abbasid era using a library research method with a historical-descriptive approach. The findings indicate that balaghah practices existed prior to Islam through poetry and oratory traditions and developed rapidly after the revelation of the Qur’an to explain its linguistic inimitability. The systematic formulation of balaghah reached its maturity with Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani through the sciences of ma‘ani, Bn ayan, and badi‘.

The Double Edged Screen: Balancing Social Media’s Benefits and Risks for Students under 14

Belay Sitotaw Goshu — 2026-04-16

Social media has become deeply embedded in the lives of students under 14, yet the developmental impacts of early exposure remain poorly understood. This age group is particularly vulnerable due to ongoing prefrontal cortex maturation and the critical nature of identity formation. This article synthesizes current research to evaluate the benefits and risks of social media for students under 14 and to provide evidence-based recommendations for parents and educators. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature from 2012–2026 was conducted, including meta-analyses, longitudinal studies, and expert advisory reports from the American Psychological Association and the Office of the Surgeon General. Findings: Social media offers genuine benefits in social connection, identity exploration, educational access, and civic engagement. However, risks significantly outweigh benefits across four of five developmental domains, with safety showing the largest gap (+6). Alternative connection options reduce hazard exposure by 66–84% while maintaining developmental benefits. Social media functions as a double-edged screen for students fewer than 14. Delaying access until age 14–16, implementing parental supervision tools, teaching critical media literacy, prioritizing alternative connections, and modeling healthy behavior collectively mitigate risks while preserving developmental benefits. Recommendation: Parents and educators should adopt a graduated, intentional approach that aligns with developmental neuroscience, prioritizing safety and skill-building over early platform access.

From God's Storehouse: Ethiopian Meteorology, Hurricanes, and Tewahedo Biblical Interpretation

Belay Sitotaw Goshu — 2026-04-18

The Turkana Jet, originating from orographic channeling through the Ethiopian Highlands near Ras Dashen (4,550 m), transports substantial moisture across Africa and generates African easterly waves that develop into Atlantic hurricanes. This phenomenon raises profound questions at the intersection of atmospheric science and religious meaning. This interdisciplinary study investigates the question "Where does the wind come from?" by integrating scientific understanding of the Turkana Jet with biblical theology and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo interpretive traditions, demonstrating that science and theology offer complementary rather than competing explanations. The study synthesizes atmospheric science literature on Turkana Jet mechanics (Indeje et al., 2001; Kinuthia & Asnani, 1982; Munday et al., 2022), biblical analysis of "storehouse" passages (Psalm 135:7; Jeremiah 10:13; Job 38:22), and Ethiopian Orthodox sources including the Book of Enoch and the Five Pillars of Mystery. NASA's tracing of Hurricane Isabel (2003) to Ethiopian Highlands provides a case study. Science identifies proximate mechanisms: orographic channeling, Bernoulli acceleration (11-50 m/s winds), water vapor transport of 172 kg/m/s, and African easterly waves (2000-4000 km wavelength) generating hurricanes. Scripture reveals ultimate meaning: wind proceeds from divine storehouses, serving as God's instrument. Ethiopian Orthodox tradition contributes Enoch's cosmology of the "north gate" (Enoch 25:16) and the Five Pillars, where wind (ነፋስ) symbolizes the Holy Spirit (መንፈስ ቅዱስ). Scientific and theological explanations address different questions—"how" versus "why", and together provide a richer answer than either discipline alone. The Ethiopian Highlands function simultaneously as physical source and theological "gate." Future research should include deeper exploration of Ethiopian patristic commentaries, comparative studies with other Oriental Orthodox traditions, and field research combining meteorology with religious ethnography in northern Ethiopia.

Online Child Sexual Abuse in the Gambia the Motivating Factors: Child Protection Officers’ Perspective (Case Study: Serekunda Tourism Development Areas)

Yahya Muhammed Bah — 2026-04-21

The digital technology has positively transformed the life and living conditions of many people around the globe. However, studies have revealed some negative socio-economic, political, cultural; and environmental impacts. This case study was conducted to interrogate online child sexual abuse and exploitation in The Gambia focusing on the motivating factors, techniques, negative impacts, victims and perpetrators support services available, preventive strategies; and institutional collaboration. According to the results the genesises of online child sexual abuse and exploitation in The Gambia are multifaceted and complex but can be summarized into: bad cultural beliefs and practices, drug abuse and peer pressure, lack of awareness, economic hardship, easy access to the internet, inadequate regulatory laws and policies, lack of enforcement of regulatory laws and policies, poor parenting methods, inadequate social services and political commitment, lack of access to quality and relevant education; and lack of prosecution of perpetrators.