The journal pursues the academic exploration on Islamic education discourses in Southeast Asian schools, colleges, universities, and other Islamic educational institutions such as pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). The journal promotes empirical research and theory relevant to Islamic-affiliated educational institutions. The topics of the journal cover the micro, meso, and macro levels of Islamic education such as the philosophy of Islamic education, Islamic school leadership, and the politics of Islamic education.

1. The journal is published twice a year in June and December. It was first published in 2014 (printed edition).
2. Since Vol. 3, No 2 (December 2015), it has migrated gradually to an electronic journal system (Open Access).
3. Starting on Vol. 7 No. 1 of 2019, the journal logo is made colorful and more interesting.
4. Starting on Vol. 7 No.1 of 2019 logo is added to the paper template to make it more interesting one
5. Starting on Vol. 8, No. 2 of 2020 it only accepts manuscript submissions in English or Arabic.
6. Starting on Vol. 9 N0. 2 of 2023 publisher is changed to Pascasarjana Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda.
7. Starting on Vol. 11 No. 1 of 2023 layout of the abstract is changed into a colorful and more interesting one.

8. Starting on Vol. 11 No. 1 of 2023  SYAMIL: Journal of Islamic Education is accredited (Sinta 2) by the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education with the Decree Number Number 152/E/KPT/2023.

9. Starting on Vol. 13 of 2025 this journal has increased the frequency of publication to three times a year, namely in April, August and December.

10. Starting on Vol. 13 of 2025, the naming of the Syamil Journal has become more global, namely Syamil: Journal of Islamic Education.

11. Starting on Vol. 13 of 2025, the Article Template in Syamil Journal changed from Footnote to Body Note with Style APA 7th edition.