Malaysia - Culture & Religion
Malaysia - Culture & Religion
Malaysia - Culture & Religion
Malaysia are Islam. Other religions practiced in the country are Buddhism, Christianity,
Daoism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Shamanism. The national language of the country is
Bahasa Malaysia. Other languages practiced in the country are English and Malay
slang words, which are spoken in the urban areas.
Cultures have been meeting and mixing in Malaysia since the very beginning of its
history. More than fifteen hundred years ago a Malay kingdom in Bujang Valley
welcomed traders from China and India. With the arrival of gold and silks, Buddhism
and Hinduism also came to Malaysia. A thousand years later, Arab traders arrived in
Malacca and brought with them the principles and practices of Islam. By the time the
Portuguese arrived in Malaysia, the empire that they encountered was more
cosmopolitan than their own.
One example of the complexity with which Malaysia's immigrant populations have
contributed to the nation's culture as a whole is the history of Chinese immigrants. The
first Chinese to settle in the straits, primarily in and around Malacca, gradually adopted
elements of Malaysian culture and intermarried with the Malaysian community. Known
as babas and nonyas, they eventually produced a synthetic set of practices, beliefs, and
arts, combining Malay and Chinese traditions in such a way as to create a new culture.
Later Chinese, coming to exploit the tin and rubber booms, have preserved their culture
much more meticulously. A city like Penang, for example, can often give one the
impression of being in China rather than in Malaysia.
Another example of Malaysia's extraordinary cultural exchange the Malay wedding
ceremony, which incorporates elements of the Hindu traditions of southern India; the
bride and groom dress in gorgeous brocades, sit in state, and feed each other yellow
rice with hands painted with henna. Muslims have adapted the Chinese custom of
giving little red packets of money (ang pau) at festivals to their own needs; the packets
given on Muslim holidays are green and have Arab writing on them.
Malaysia's cultural mosaic is marked by many different cultures, but several in particular
have had especially lasting influence on the country. Chief among these is the ancient
Malay culture, and the cultures of Malaysia's two most prominent trading partners
throughout history--the Chinese, and the Indians. These three groups are joined by a
dizzying array of indigenous tribes, many of which live in the forests and coastal areas
of Borneo. Although each of these cultures has vigorously maintained its traditions and
community structures, they have also blended together to create contemporary
Malaysia's uniquely diverse heritage.
The usual handicrafts of the country are the textiles, which are natural fiber produced by
the Punan tribes, woodcarvings, patterned mats, basketwork and batik cloth. "Batik" is
the traditional formal attire of the Malay male and "Baju Kebaya" for female. Malaysian
music is greatly influenced by Islamic and Chinese styles. It is based on the drum
(gendang) and other instruments like gongs, flutes and trumpets. Some of the traditional
dance was originated by Indian, Portuguese and Thai.
Ethnic Groups
Malaysia is a multiethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society, and the many ethnic
groups in Malaysia maintain separate cultural identities. The society of Malaysia has
been described as "Asia in miniature. The original culture of the area stemmed from its
indigenous tribes, along with the Malays who moved there in ancient times. Substantial
influence exists from the Chinese and Indian cultures, dating back to when trade with
those countries began in the area. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of
Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British. The structure of the government, along
with the racial balance of power caused by the idea of a social contract, has resulted in
little incentive for the cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities in Malaya and
Malaysia.The government has historically made little distinction between "Malay culture"
and "Malaysian culture".
The Malays, who account for over half the Malaysian population, play a dominant role
politically and are included in a grouping identified as bumiputra. Their native language,
Bahasa Malaysia, is the national language of the country. By definition of the Malaysian
constitution, all Malays are Muslims. The Orang Asal, the earliest inhabitants of Malaya,
formed only 0.5 percent of the total population in Malaysia in 2000, but represented a
majority in East Malaysia. In Sarawak, most of the non-Muslim indigenous groups are
classified as Dayaks, and they constitute about 40 percent of the population in the state.
Many tribes have converted to Christianity. The 140,000 Orang Asli, or aboriginal
peoples, comprise a number of different ethnic communities living in peninsular
Malaysia.
The Chinese have been settling in Malaysia for many centuries, and form the secondlargest ethnic group. The first Chinese to settle in the Straits Settlements, primarily in
and around Malacca, gradually adopted elements of Malaysian culture and intermarried
with the Malaysian community and with this, a new ethnic group called emerged, the
Peranakan ("Straits Chinese"). These Chinese have adopted Malay traditions while
maintaining elements of Chinese culture such as their largely Buddhist and Taoist
religion. The more common Chinese varieties spoken in Peninsular Malaysia are
Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese, and Fuzhou.
The Indian community in Malaysia is the smallest of the three main ethnic groups,
accounting for about 10 percent of the country's population. They speak a variety of
South Asian languages. Tamils, Malayalees, and Telugu people make up over 85
percent of the people of Indian origin in the country. Indian immigrants to Malaysia
brought with them the Hindu and Sikh cultures. This included temples and Gurdwaras,
cuisine, and clothing. Hindu tradition remains strong in the Indian community of
Malaysia. A community of Indians who have adopted Malay cultural practices also exists
in Malacca. Though they remain Hindu, the Chitties speak Bahasa Malaysia and dress
and act as Malays.
Some Eurasians of mixed European and Malay descent live in Malaysia. A small
community in Malacca are descendants of former Portuguese colonists who married
Malay women. While they have adopted Malay culture, they speak their own language
and are Catholics.
Each ethnic group has its own underlying culture that separates it from the others, and
they have achieved different levels of integration. The Chinese have integrated with
Malay culture in a number of areas, including parts of Terengganu, and they form
Malayanised groups such as the Baba Chinese in Malacca and the Sino-Kadazan of
Sabah. Their years under combined British rule brought some joint sense of identity to
all the ethnic groups, with English ideas and ideals providing some unifying features. A
joint Malaysian culture can be seen in the symbiosis of the cultures of the people within
it.
common at weddings and other festivals; the dancer will perform sparring and beautiful
routines to accompanying drums and other musical instruments.
The candle dance is one of Malaysia's most breathtakingly beautiful performance arts.
Candles on small plates are held in each hand as the dancer performs. As the
performer's body describes graceful curves and arcs, the delicate candle flames
become hypnotic traces.
The Joget, Malaysia's most popular traditional dance, is a
lively dance with an upbeat tempo. Performed by couples
who combine fast, graceful movements with rollicking
good humor, the Joget has its origins in the Portuguese
folk dance, which was introduced to Malacca during the era of the spice trade.
Among the many different traditional theatres of the Malays, which combine dance,
drama, and music, no other dance drama has a more captivating appeal than Mak
Yong. This ancient classic court entertainment combines romantic stories, operatic
singing and humor.
The Datun Julud is a popular dance of Sarawak, and illustrates the age-old tradition of
storytelling in dance. The Datun Jalud tells of the happiness of a prince when blessed
with a grandson. It was from this divine blessing that the dance became widespread
among the Kenyah tribe of Sarawak. The Sape, a musical instrument, renders the
dance beats, which are often helped along by singing and clapping of hands.
Although Malaysia's cultural heritage is rich and varied almost beyond belief, it would be
a mistake to assume that heritage to be wholly traditional. Malaysia has joined the
recent world music trend by updating many of its beautiful traditional sounds. Modern
synthesizers accompany the gamelan and the drums for a danceable, hypnotic sound
you won't soon forget.
Arts
Traditional Malaysian art is mainly centred on the crafts
of carving, weaving, and silversmithing. Traditional art
ranges from handwoven baskets from rural areas to the silverwork of the Malay courts.
Common artworks included ornamental kris and beetle nut sets. Luxurious textiles
known as Songket are made, as well as traditional patterned batik fabrics. Indigenous
East Malaysians are known for their wooden masks. Malaysian art has expanded only
recently, as before the 1950s Islamic taboos about drawing people and animals were
strong.Textiles such as the batik, songket, pua kumbu, and tekat are used for
decorations, often embroidered with a painting or pattern. Traditional jewelry was made
from gold and silver adorned with gems, and, in East Malaysia, leather and beads were
used to the same effect.
Earthenware has been developed in many areas. The Labu Sayong is a gourd-shaped
clay jar that holds water. Perak is famous for these. Also used to store water is the
angular Terenang. The belanga is a clay bowl used to cook, with a wide base that
allows heat to spread easily. Carved wood is used as ornamentation for many items,
such as doors and window panels. Woodcarving was never an industry, but an art.
Traditional woodcarvers spent years simply preparing the wood, due to a belief that
woodcarvers need to be a perfect match with their wood. The wood also had to match
the buyer, so woodcarving was a very ritualised task. [
Each ethnic group has distinct performing arts, with little overlap between them. Malay
art shows some North Indian influence. A form of art called mak yong, incorporating
dance and drama, remains strong in the Kelantan state. However, older Malayan-Thai
performing arts such as mak yong have declined in popularity throughout the country
due to their Hindu-Buddhist origin. Since the Islamisation period, the arts and tourism
ministry have focused on newer dances of Portuguese, Middle Eastern, or Mughal
origin. Malay traditional dances include joget melayu and zapin. In recent years, dikir
barat has grown in popularity, and it is actively promoted by state governments as a
cultural icon. Silat is another popular Malay martial art and dance form, believed to
increase a person's spiritual strength. Wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre) has been
popular in Malaysia for centuries. [ The puppets are usually made with cow and buffalo
skin, and are carved and painted by hand. Plays done with shadow puppets are often
based on traditional stories, especially tales from theRamayana and the Mahabharata.
Traditionally, theatrical music is performed only by men. Javanese immigrants
brought Kuda Kepang to Johor, and is a form of dance where dancers sit on mock
horses and tells the tales of Islamic wars. The Chinese communities brought
traditional lion dances and dragon dances with them, while Indians brought art forms
such as Bharata Natyam and Bhangra. Colonialism also brought other art forms, such
as the Portuguese Farapeira and Branyo. There are a variety of traditional dances,
which often have very strong spiritual significance. Different tribes from west and east
Malaysia have different dances.
To the orang asli, the "original people" who have for millenia inhabited the forests of
Malaysia, the earth was an abode for more than the diversity of plant and animal life.
The world's oldest jungles, dense with mystery, were the playground of spirits, both
benevolent and, well, less so.
Prominent natural features--and there are many in Malaysia--were wreathed in
legend. Tioman Island is said to have been a dragon princess who decided to make her
home where Tioman now rises out of the sea. Tranquil Lake Chiniin the wilds of Pahang
is thought to be the site of a magnificent Khmer city now sunk beneath the lotus
blossoms. Mount Ophir, in Johor, is said to be the home of 'Puteri Gunung Ledang', a
legendary princess once wooed by the Sultan of Malacca. The princess' beauty is still
associated with the natural charms of the mountain itself. Langkawi Island has no such
creation story, but the curse laid on the island by a princess falsely accused of adultery
is one of the best-known of Malaysia's magical myths.
The supernatural imbues not only the land and water, but living things as well. The
orang asli believe that one's semangat--soul or life force--traveled abroad during sleep;
dreams were the record of the soul's adventures. In the city, it is a little harder to find
someone who believes so wholeheartedly in what was once a compelling way of
thought. But fragments of the old mythological system remain; the kris--the wavy-bladed
Malay dagger--is a shining example. Many Malays have their own kris as well as their
own kris tales. The kris is reputed to be able to fly by night and seek out victims (their
owners' enemies, presumably) without a guiding hand. One who possessed a loyal kris
was indeed powerful.
Literature
The strong oral tradition that has existed since before the arrival of writing to what is
now Malaysia continues today. These early works were heavily influenced by Indian
epics. Oral literature such as folktales flourished even after printed works appeared. The
Arabic Jawi script arrived with the coming of Islam to the peninsula in the late 15th
century. At this point, stories which previously had given lessons in Hinduism and
Buddhism were taken to have more universal meanings, with their main story lines
remaining intact. Each of the Malay Sultanates created their own literary tradition
influenced by preexisting oral stories and by the stories that came with Islam. The
arrival of the printing press in Malaysia was key in allowing literature to be accessed by
more than those rich enough to afford handwritten manuscripts. There was a division
between the royal Malays, who knew English, and the lower classes, who only read
Malay. In the early years of the 20th century, literature began to change to reflect the
changing norms of Malaysians. In 1971 the government took the step of defining the
literature of different languages. Literature written in Malay was called "The National
Literature of Malaysia"; literature in other bumiputra languages was called "regional
literature"; literature in other languages was called "sectional literature".
Malay poetry is highly developed, and uses many forms. A Hikayat is a traditional
narrative, and stories written in that fashion are named using Hikayat followed by the
name(s) of the protagonist(s). The pantun is a form of poetry used in many aspects of
Malay culture. The Syair is another form of narrative, once very popular. The Hikayat
form remains popular, and the pantun has spread from Malay to other languages. Until
the 19th century, literature produced in Malaysia focused mainly on tales of royalty, as it
was produced just for royalty. It was after this point that it expanded to other areas. The
race riots of 1969 strongly influenced literature; the improvements of the economy in the
1980s brought about social changes and new forms of literature.
The first Malay literature was in Arabic script. The earliest known Malay writing is on the
Terengganu Inscription Stone, made in 1303.[24] One of the more famous Malay works
is the Sulalatus al-Salatin, also known as the Sejarah Melayu (meaning "The Malay
Annals"). It was originally recorded in the 15th century, although it has since been
edited; the known version is from the 16th century. The Hikaya Rajit Pasai, written in the
15th century, is another significant literary work. The Hikayat Hang Tuah, or story of
Hang Tuah, tells the story of Hang Tuah and his devotion to his Sultan. This is the most
famous Hikayat; it drew from the Sejarah Melayu. Both have been nominated as world
heritage items under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) 'Memory of the World' programme. Folktales such as the
Hikayat Sang Kancil, about a clever mouse deer, are popular, as are adventures such
as Ramayana, adapted from Indian epics. Munshi Abdullah (Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir),
who lived from 17971854, is regarded as the father of Malay literature. Hikayat
Abdullah, his autobiography, is about everyday life at the time when British influence
was spreading. Female Malay writers began becoming popular in the 1950s.
Different ethnic and linguistic groups have produced works in their own languages.
Chinese and Indian literature became common as the numbers of speakers increased
in Malaysia, and locally produced works based in languages from those areas began to
be produced in the 19th century. Beginning in the 1950s, Chinese literature expanded;
homemade literature in Indian languages has failed to emerge. English has become a
common literary language.
on the safe side, it is best to wait if the person you are introduced to will extend his or
her hand for a handshake or will use another manner of greeting, to avoid awkward
situations.
More familiar or physical forms of greeting, such as kissing or hugging, is normally
reserved for family members; you should avoid doing this for new acquaintances who
may become very uncomfortable (or even offended) with the overly familiar gestures.
One of the most common Malay greetings is done with the hands outstretched, lightly
touching the other persons hands, and bringing the hands to ones own chest to signify,
I greet you from the bottom of my heart. A simpler version of this greeting is done by
placing the right hand over the left part of the chest while smiling.
Seniority plays a big role in Malaysian society, and significantly influences the way
customs and etiquette are followed. In occasions when introductions are made to a
family, the oldest male member of the family should be greeted first; this male member
will also be given the best and the highest placed seat at a table or gathering, and is
consulted first regarding any matter. In a business setting, the most senior Malaysian
should also be the first to be greeted or acknowledged by the most senior member of
the other group/party.
Dressing up
Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, and this fact should be taken deeply into
consideration when choosing which clothes to wear when going around. It is advisable
to wear conservative clothing especially in rural areas, or when planning to enter a
mosque or other places of worship. Ladies are advised to wear loose and long pants or
skirts, and long-sleeved shirts especially when entering places of worship. Shorts,
sleeveless shirts, and revealing clothes should be avoided the shoulders should
almost always be covered; however, dressing up in metropolitan areas such as the
capital Kuala Lumpur can be more relaxed.
Shoes and other footwear are removed before entering a mosque or place of worship,
and this practice is also followed in most Malaysian homes (to keep dirt from being
brought inside the house). You can usually determine the number of people in a house
by checking out the pairs of footwear left outside the door; numerous pairs of shoes by
the doorway may mean that there is a large gathering of people inside the house.
include:
Malay women may not shake hands with men. Women can of course shake
hands with women. Men may also not shake hands with women and may bow
instead while placing their hand on their heart.
The Chinese handshake is light and may be rather prolonged. Men and women
may shake hands, although the woman must extend her hand first. Many older
Chinese lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of respect.
Indians shake hands with members of the same sex. When being introduced to
someone of the opposite sex, nodding the head and smiling is usually sufficient.
Hand Gestures
Always use your right hand when accepting, receiving, or passing anything because the
left hand is considered to be dirty due to its assumed use in the washroom.
It is considered to be very rude to point using a finger. You can use your whole hand to
indicate a place or direction, but never do this when gesturing towards a person. You
can instead close your hand into a fist, place your thumb on top, and use this to point or
gesture towards a person.
As for body language, note that touching someones head, be they Muslim or otherwise,
must be avoided, as the head is considered sacred in Eastern culture. Handshakes are
fairly commonplace when meeting someone; Muslims often follow this by touching the
palm of the right hand to their own chest. Some Muslims may be reluctant to shake
hands with the opposite sex; however, in this case a smile, nod and that same righthand-palm gesture will suffice.
Names
The way names are used also varies between ethnicities:
Many Malays do not have surnames. Instead, men add their father's name to
their own name with the term "bin" (meaning son of). So Rosli bin Suleiman,
would be Rosli the son of Suleiman.
Women use the term "binti", so Aysha bint Suleiman is Aysha the daughter of
Suleiman.
Festivals
Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a day of consecration to the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, sometimes also
called Lord Subramaniam. A feature of the festival is the carrying of a kavadi, a frame
decorated with colored papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits as a form of penance. In
Kuala Lumpur, Hindus carrying the kavadi make the annual pilgrimage to the Batu
Caves in Selangor, where the kavadi is carried up the 272 steps to the entrance of the
great cave and deposited at the feet of the deity.
On the eve of Thaipusam, the grounds of Batu Caves are transformed into a fairyland of
lights. Kavadi-carrying begins after sunset. Devotees and penitents carry Kavadis,
which are gaily decorated wooden or steel paraphernalia. Some have entered a trance,
and pierced their cheeks, tongues, or foreheads. The next day they will return to their
ordinary lives, cleansed. Open-door observers of the kavadi do not have to participate in
this ritual unless they really, really want to. Apart from the mortification of flesh, other
forms of devotion are practiced, such as honey or milk offerings.
Chinese New Year is the first Chinese festival in Malaysia in the year. It is one of the
most important events for the Chinese people all around the world. Chinese New Year
falls on different dates each year, a date between January 21 and February 20, because
the Chinese follow the Lunar Calendar.
Chinese will hang outside the house red lanterns usually a week before the the actual
Chinese New Year is celebrated. The house will be cleaned and new clothes be bought.
Some families and shops will have lion dances to clean the house from evil spirits.
Flora Fest
Malaysia, with year-round sunshine and high humidity, provides the ideal climatic
conditions for a rich plant life, amongst them a profusion of flowering species. Every
year, in July, the Flora Fest is held to celebrate the beauty of Malaysia's blooms through
various floral-themed events and competitions.
The week-long festival culminates in a spectacular Floral Parade, whereby flowerbedecked animated floats will make their way through the main streets of Kuala Lumpur,
accompanied by marching bands, equestrian units and dance troupes.
Malaysia Fest
Pesta Malaysia, or Malaysia Fest, is a two-week affair held in September of every year
which was first held in 1987. it aims to create awareness and appreciation of Malaysian
culture, craft and cuisine. This is one of the best times to make your journey to Malaysia
if you are a new visitor. All the thirteen states of Malaysia participate in the event, which
is held in Kuala Lumpur. Among the programs and activities visitors can look forward to
will be cultural shows, demonstrations of the beautiful Malaysian handicrafts, and
cuisine of the thirteen states. Streets are strung with lights, while shopping complexes
and hotels compete for awards in creative light decorations.
Mooncake Festival
The Moon festival takes place in early October. It is also known as the "Mid-Autumn
Festival". Except the Chinese New Year there is no more important festival for the
Chinese population worldwide. Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and
friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes
and pomeloes together.
In China it is one of the National Holidays and therefore very busy. In Malaysia the
festival is mostly celebrated with the family, eating moon cake. Other parts of the
celebration can be lion dances, especially in Penang where the population is more
Chinese.
Deepavali
Deepavali or The Festival of Lights" is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu
calendar. Hindus celebrate it by adorning their homes with dozens of lights or oil lamps,
called vikku, to signify the triumph of good over evil, and thus light over darkness. It is a
day of festive joy and Malaysians visit their friends of Hindu faith to extend good wishes
and to partake in the feasting and jollity.
As most of the Indians in Malaysia are Tamils from the south, the actual day of the
festivities is the third day. Hindus wake up well before dawn, as early as two in the
morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. They light small lamps all
around the house and draw elaborate kolams / rangolis outside their homes.
Wesak
Wesak or Wesak day is a Buddhist celebration commemorating the three most
important days (birthday, enlightenment, and the achievement of Nirvana) in the life of
Buddha. Buddhists in Malaysia begin the festivities at dawn, as they gather in Buddhist
temples throughout the country to meditate; giving food and donations to the needy
offerings of joss sticks and incense, and prayers are also part of Wesak day
celebrations. One of the highlights of Wesak is the breathtaking float procession, usually
of a statue of Buddha.
Religion in Malaysia
Malaysia is a multicultural and multi-confessional country. As of the 2010 Population
and Housing Census, 61.3 percent of the population
practices Islam; 19.8 percent Buddhism; 9.2 percent
Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 1.3 percent
traditional Chinese religions. The remainder is accounted
for by other faiths, including Animism, Folk religion,
Sikhism and other belief systems.
Islam in Malaysia is represented by the Shafi'i version of
Sunni theology and jurisprudence. Islam was introduced
by traders arriving from Arabia, China and India. It
became firmly established in the 15th century. The
constitution makes Malaysia a secular country and
guarantees freedom of religion, while establishing Islam
as the "religion of the Federation" to symbolize its
importance to Malaysian society. The king is generally
seen as the defender of the faith in the country and
members of the royal family may lose certain privileges if
they leave Islam and convert to another religion.
The large Chinese population in Malaysia practices
various faiths: Mahayana Buddhism and the Chinese
traditional religion (including Taoism). Hinduism is
practised by the majority of Malaysian Indians. In recent years the government has
demolished many Hindu temples, causing concern among the Indian population.
Christianity has established itself in some communities, especially in East Malaysia. It is
not tied to any specific ethnic group. Other religions, such as the Baha'i Faith and
Sikhism also have adherents in Malaysia.
Relations between different religious groups are generally quite tolerant. Christmas,
Chinese New Year, and Deepavali have been declared national holidays alongside
Islamic holidays such as Muhammad's birthday etc. Various groups have been set up to
try to promote religious understanding among the different groups, with religious
harmony seen as a priority by Malaysian politicians.
Religious Distributions
All the world's major religions have substantial representation in Malaysia. The
Population and Housing Censuses figure shows approximately these proportions of the
population following these religions:
The majority of Malaysian Malay people are Muslim. Most Malaysian Chinese follow
Mahayana Buddhism, the Chinese traditional religion (including Taoism, Confucianism,
ancestor-worship or newer sects).[4] Statistics from the 2010 Census indicate that
83.6% of Malaysia's ethnic Chinese identify as Buddhist, with significant numbers of
adherents following Taoism (3.4%) and Christianity (11.1%). Actually, the percentage of
practitioners of the Chinese folk religions may be higher.
Christianity is the predominant religion of the non-Malay Bumiputra community (46.5%)
with an additional 40.4% identifying as Muslims. Many indigenous tribes of East
Malaysia have converted to Christianity, although Christianity has made fewer inroads
into Peninsular Malaysia.
the 1980s and 1990s to try to obtain more of the Malay vote. Political problems are
often portrayed as religious issues.
Interfaith relations
The separate religious communities have a generally tolerant relationship. Festivals are
held for all major religions, which are participated in by people from that religion and
others in a Malaysian practise known as 'Open House'. Malaysia has a reputation for
being a successful multicultural country, with the only two serious occurrences of racial
violence in modern history occurring in 1946 and 1969. Other countries have examined
Malaysia as an example for handling Islamic fundamentalism.
Main religions
Islam
Islam is the predominant religion of the country and is recognised as the state's official
religion. It is practised by about 60 per cent of Malaysians. Many Muslim holy days are
national holidays, including the end of Ramadan, the end of the Hajj, and the birthday of
Mohammad. Islam is thought to have been brought to Malaysia around the 12th century
by Indian traders. In the early 15th century the Malacca Sultanate, commonly
considered the first independent state in the peninsula, was founded. Led by a Muslim
prince the influence of Malacca led to the spread of Islam throughout the Malay
population.
Although most people in Malaya were Muslim by the 15th century, the tolerant form of
Islam brought by the Sufi meant that many traditional practices were incorporated into
Islamic traditions. Islam is generally practised liberally, although in the last 20 years
strict adherence to Islamic practice has increased. The official code of Islam in Malaysia
is Sunni, and the practice of any other form of Islam is heavily restricted. The
government opposes what it calls "Deviant" teachings, forcing those who are deemed to
follow these teachings to undergo "rehabilitation". In June 2006, 56 deviant teachings
had been identified by the certain state religious authorities, including Shi'a,
transcendental meditation, and Baha'i teachings. However, Department of Islamic
Development Malaysia later clarified that Baha'i Faith was erroneously declared a
deviant offshoot of Islam by one of the state religious authorities as the 14th Muzakarah
(Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious
Affairs Malaysia held on 2223 October 1985 decided that the Baha'i doctrine is not part
of Islam and the religion is recognised by the Registration Department and national
census as an independent religion.
In June 2005 religious authorities reported that there were 22 "deviant" religious groups
with around 2,820 followers in Malaysia. No statistics are given on rehabilitations, and
the government actively monitors Shi'a groups. Restrictions have been imposed on
Imams coming from overseas.
The Malaysian government promotes a moderate version of Sunni Islam called Islam
Hadhari. Islam Hadhari was introduced by former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi. It is meant to encourage a balanced approach to life, and encourages
inclusivity, tolerance, and looking outwards. The qualities it values are knowledge, hard
work, honesty, good administration, and efficiency. The Islamic party PAS desires a
stricter interpretation of Islam and the promotion of Islamic law. Due to Islam being the
state religion, many mosques and other religious services are supported by the
government. Control of the mosques is usually done on a state rather than a federal
level. The charitable Zakt tax is collected by the government, and the government
supports those wishing to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. In 1985 Kassim Ahmed wrote
a book called Hadith: A Re-evaluation which promoted Quranism, but it was
subsequently banned by the Malaysian government.
Per Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia one must be Muslim to be considered
Malay. In practice, Muslims cannot convert to another religion due to the Shari'a courts
denying conversion claims, and if a Malay did convert they would lose their status as
bumiputera. People of non-Muslim origins are required to convert to Islam if they marry
a Muslim person. Public schools are required to offer Islamic religious instruction,
although alternative ethics classes are provided for non-Muslims. Many women wear
the tudong, which covers the head but leaves the face exposed, although there is no
law requiring this. Islamic police monitor the Muslim population. Regulation of sexual
activities among the Muslim population is strict, with laws prohibiting unmarried couples
from occupying a secluded area or a confined space, to prevent suspicion of acts
considered islamically immoral.
Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts in matters concerning their
religion. The Islamic judges are expected to follow the Shafi`i legal school of Islam,
which is the main madh'hab of Malaysia. These courts apply Sharia law.The jurisdiction
of Shariah courts is limited only to Muslims in matters such as marriage, inheritance,
divorce, apostasy, religious conversion, and custody among others. No other criminal or
civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Shariah courts, which have a similar
hierarchy to the Civil Courts. Despite being the supreme courts of the land, the Civil
Courts (including the Federal Court) do not hear matters related to Islamic practices.
Cases concerning a Muslim and a non-Muslim are usually handled by the civil courts,
although in cases such as child custody or property settlement the non-Muslim has no
say.
Buddhism and Chinese religions
Many Malaysian Chinese practice various faiths, including Mahayana and other sects of
Buddhism, the Chinese folk religions, Confucianism and Daoism. Although Buddhism
was influential prior to the arrival of Islam, the majority of the current Chinese population
arrived during British rule of Malaya. Chinese New Year is celebrated as a national
holiday. For many, For many Chinese religion is an essential part of their cultural life.
It is rare for any Malaysian Chinese to be an absolute follower of a particular belief.
Many nominally claim membership in a certain belief, yet respect beliefs from multiple
religions into their lives. The Chinese traditional religion has become a strong influence
in life, and new sects have arisen trying to integrate different religious teachings. Beliefs
in Malaysia have also often adopted influence from local animism.
Around 19% of the current population classify themselves as Buddhist. Each religious
building is autonomous, and most Malaysian Chinese follow the Mahayana branch,
while Thai and Sinhalese minorities in Malaysia follow the Therevada branch. A
Malaysian Buddhist Council has been created to promote the study and practice of
Buddhism and promote solidarity among Malaysian Buddhists. Vesak day is a national
holiday, and joint celebrations take place in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor by both
branches of Buddhism.
Chinese temples mostly enshrine gods from the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and
Fujian. Malaysia has over 150 Daoist temples served by 12000 priests, with the Daoist
communities sharing links with those in Taiwan and Mainland China. Although the
religion is not as organised as others, a Malaysia Daoist Association was formed in
1995 and a Daoist Organisation League was formed in 1997.
A Chinese population known as the Hui people practised Islam yet retained Chinese
culture and have unique traditions. Communities existed in Singapore, Pangkor Island,
and Sitiawan before the Second World War. The last established community, in Penang,
was dispersed when they were evicted from their homes due to development projects.
Hinduism
The majority of the Tamils who make up 9% of Malaysia's population practice Hinduism.
Hinduism was influential prior to Islam, but current adherents are mostly descended
from migrant communities from Tamil Nadu who came to Malaya to work on British
rubber plantations. A small community of migrants from North India also exists.
Urban temples are often dedicated to a single deity, while rural temples are often home
to many different deities. Most were brought with immigrants. Most temples follow the
Saivite tradition from Southern India, for the worship of Siva. The Hindu holiday of
Thaipusam and Deepavali is a national holiday. Practice of the Hindu religion is strongly
linked with the cultural identity of Malaysian Indians. Those who convert to another
religion may be ostracised by their family and the Indian community.
There is growing anger in the Hindu community over what they believe is a governmentbacked drive to demolish Hindu temples under the guise that they are illegal structures.
The Hindu Rights Action Force, a coalition of 50 Hindu-based NGOs, has accused the
government of an unofficial policy of "temple cleansing", with much of the demolition
focused around the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. An Indian minister in the cabinet even
threatened to boycott Deepavali in response to these demolitions.
Christianity
About 10% of the population of Malaysia are Christians, mostly non-Malay Bumiputera,
also including some Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian minorities. The most
common denominations are Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic. Most Christians
are found in East Malaysia, where Good Friday is a public holiday in the states of Sabah
and Sarawak. Christmas is a national holiday, although Easter is not.
Traders with links to Christianity from the Middle East arrived in what is now Malaysia in
the 7th century. Catholicism was brought by the Portuguese in the 15th century,
followed by Protestantism with the Dutch in 1641. As Portuguese influence declined
Protestantism began to eclipse Catholicism. Christianity spread further through
missionaries who arrived during British rule in the 19th century and introduced
Christianity to East Malaysia. Initial conversions focused mainly on the Straits
Settlements. When missionaries began to spread through the peninsula, they were
discouraged from converting Malays, focusing on Chinese and Indian immigrants.
Christianity has become restricted as Malaysia has become more Islamic. Restrictions
have been placed on the construction of new churches, although existing ones are
allowed to operate. The city of Shah Alam has not allowed any churches to be built.
Christians are not allowed to attempt the conversion of Muslims and their literature must
have a note saying it is for non-Muslims only. Similarly, the movie The Passion of the
Christ was restricted only to Christian viewers. In April 2005 two Christians were
arrested for distributing Christian material in front of a mosque, although charges were
later dropped. The restrictions of the dissemination of Malay-language Christian
material are much less strict in East Malaysia than in the west. Good Friday is also an
official holiday in East Malaysia, although not a national one.
The use of the Malay word "Allah" for God has caused a dispute in Malaysia, with Malay
language Bibles banned due to the use of this word. It was argued that as the Bibles
could be used to spread religions other than Islam, they were against the constitution.
Other ministers opposed this discrimination. In 2005 Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz tried to
enforce this, although some of his ministers argued the national language could be used
for any purpose. The Bible in the indigenous Iban language was allowed, as that
language has no alternate word besides "Allah" for God.
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of religion, despite being guaranteed in the constitution, faces many
restrictions in Malaysia. Legally, a Malay in Malaysia must be a Muslim. Non-Malays are
more free to shift between religions. Attempts by Muslims to convert to other religions
are punished by state governments, with punishments ranging from fines to
imprisonment. The federal government does not intervene in legal disputes over
conversion, leaving it to the courts. The secular courts of Malaysia have ruled they do
not have the authority to decide these cases, referring them to the Syariah courts.
These Islamic courts have unanimously ruled that all ethnic Malays must remain
Muslims. Even non-Malays who have converted to Islam are not allowed to leave Islam,
and children born to Muslim parents are considered to be Muslims. A non-Muslim who
wishes to marry a Muslim must first convert to Islam.
Many Muslims who have attempted to convert have received death threats. Those who
have converted lead a secret double life. The civil court claims that conversions are
under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts, but converts contend that as they are no
longer Muslim the Syariah courts hold no power over them. Authorities only allow Sunni
Islam to be practised, arresting those who stray from those beliefs. Converts taken to be
rehabilitated by Islamic authorities are forced to dress and act as Muslims. In at least
one case a professed Hindu, who was listed as a Muslim because her parents were
even though she was raised by her grandmother as a Hindu, was forced to eat beef.
Only one person is known to have had their conversion from Islam accepted, an 89year-old woman who converted to Buddhism in 1936 and had her decision accepted
after her death in 2006.
The debate over laws about conversion has been strong in academic and political
circles, with the many non-Muslims against the law conflicting with the Muslim group
who strongly support the law, causing the government a dilemma. It is illegal to
disseminate any non-Islamic religious material to Muslims. The PAS party wishes that
the death penalty be enacted for Muslims who attempt to convert, as part of their
ultimate desire to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.