Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. All of the Malays and some indigenous tribes are raised Muslim. Once a person becomes a Muslim, officially, the person cannot change his belief for the rest of his life. 50% of Malaysia is Muslim as Malays (47%) form the majority of the population of Malaysia. Mosques are prevalent throughout the country to facillitate daily prayers and Jummah (Friday) prayer. One of Malaysia's states Kelantan, is controlled by PAS which is an Islamic political party.

Islam is central to Malay life and culture. It was first brought to Southeast Asia by Arab and Indian traders during the thirteenth century. However, Islam, being a nonracial religion, has attracted many Chinese and Indian Malaysians to Islam. Indians who converted to Islam, for example, have established a community called Indian Muslims. As part of the religious obligation, many Muslim girls and women in Malaysia wear the tudung or the hijab over their heads. In Malaysia, there are Sharia courts that have authority on religious and family matters that affect Muslims. They are on par with the civil and criminal court systems. There is also an Islamic university in Malaysia called the International Islamic University. Nine of the Malaysian states, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Kedah, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Johor and Negeri Sembilan have sultans. These Malay sultans have authority over their Malay subjects' religious affairs. The states of Penang, Malacca, Sarawak and Sabah have large non-malay populations.

In relation to other Islamic countries, Malaysia is relatively more liberal, as it relatively believes in the physical development of the worldly and spiritual alike. Malaysian leaders found it necessary that Malaysia be economically open to increase trade, also because it needed to compete with neighboring Singapore. At the same time, Islam encourages seeking of knowledge and building up a nation in becoming competitive Muslims. The term "Islam Hadhari " or progressive Islam has been introduced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to emphasize the central role of knowledge in Islam; preaches hard work, honesty, good administration and efficiency; and appeals to Muslims to be "inclusive", tolerant and outward-looking.*

Islam Hadhari aims to achieve ten main principles:

I. Faith and piety in Allah
II. A just and trustworthy government
III. A free and independent People
IV. Mastery of knowledge
V. Balanced and comprehensive economic development
VI. A good quality of life
VII. Protection of the rights of minority groups and women
VIII.Cultural and moral integrity
IX. Safeguarding the environment
X. Strong defenses

Abdullah Mohd Zain, a minister in the prime minister's department says "It emphasizes wisdom, practicality and harmony,". He added that "It encourages moderation or a balanced approach to life. Yet it does not stray from the fundamentals of the Koran and the example and sayings of the Prophet."

• • Quoted from "Malaysia and the modernization of Islam" http://www.badanalysis.com/catallaxy/archives/000609.html

See also

• Islam by country

External Links

• Sisters in Islam http://www.sistersinislam.org.my/
• International Islamic University http://www.iiu.edu.my/