The Digital Library and Scientific Journals Unit, in collaboration with the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Islamic University of Minnesota (Main Center), held its third monthly regular meeting on the evening of Saturday, April 4, 2026, via the Zoom platform, with the participation of academic leaders and editorial board members.

The meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law and Editor-in-Chief of the

Journal, Dr. Muzahem Tariq, along with the Director of the Digital Library and Scientific Journals

Unit, Mr. Mohammed Makki Al-Taher, and editorial board members including Dr. Jihan and Dr. Omar

Jebji.

The meeting opened with a welcome speech by Mr. Mohammed Makki Al-Taher, in which he outlined the key themes of the session, including evaluating the outcomes of the previous meeting, following up on the implementation status of the journal's second issue, and discussing mechanisms for institutional development and plans for international reach within the strategic framework of the second quarter.

Participants confirmed that the second issue of the journal is fully ready and has been handed over to the Digital Library Unit for referral to the media office to begin design work, with official release scheduled during the current month of April. It was also decided to commence early preparations for

the third issue, setting early August 2026 as its release date, thereby ensuring adherence to the quarterly publication schedule. In the same context, it was approved to begin immediately issuing acceptance

and publication certificates for research papers in the second issue upon its release.

In a step reflecting the journal's aspirations for international outreach, attendees discussed mechanisms for building scientific partnerships with international universities, including Mohamed Tahri University of Bechar in Algeria, as well as Islamic universities in Turkey and Malaysia, with the aim of organizing joint scientific conferences and publishing special issues reflecting their research outcomes.

The Digital Library Unit also recommended the development of a comprehensive proposal during April and May for organizing a joint international scientific conference, which would contribute to financial sustainability through participation and publication fees. The Editorial Board emphasized the importance of regular journal publication as an essential condition for inclusion in global databases and for enhancing academic ranking.

The meeting concluded with a number of recommendations aimed at improving performance and dissemination, including accelerating response rates within the Editorial Board, activating the role of faculty members in publishing original scientific research, adopting a publication fee policy for researchers from outside the university in line with the Digital Library Unit's vision, as well as preparing an integrated media and promotional plan to increase citation rates and enhance the journal's digital presence.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Mohammed Makki Al-Taher expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Editorial Board in supporting the workflow and developing the journal, while Dr. Muzahem Tariq praised the pivotal role played by the Digital Library and Scientific Journals Unit in advancing the scientific publication system at the faculty, affirming that the continuation of this institutional integration is capable of achieving further academic accomplishments.