International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities Research · Vol. 2 No. January Issue (2026)

STATE AND RELIGION IN MALAYSIA: CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS AND SOCIAL PRACTICE

Authors

  • Anvar Mustafoev Chief Specialist, Department of Religious Studies Expertise Committee on Religious Affairs, Uzbekistan

Keywords

Malaysia religious policy religious tolerance Islam Shafi‘i school interfaith relations Islamic law social stability religious education

Abstract

This article examines Malaysia’s religious landscape as a multi-ethnic 
and multi-confessional society and analyzes the state’s religious policy from legal, 
institutional, and social perspectives. The study highlights the structure of Malaysia’s 
religious education system, the activities of both state and private religious institutions, 
and the role of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in the sphere 
of international Islamic education. In addition, the article explores social challenges 
emerging in the context of ethnic and religious diversity, ideological differences among 
political parties, and the key features of Malaysia’s state policy against extremism and 
terrorism. Based on the findings, the article presents scholarly conclusions regarding the 
significance of Malaysia’s experience in preventing the spread of Islamophobia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Federal Constitution of Malaysia. (Latest edition). Government of Malaysia.

2. Faruqi, S. S. (2008). Document of destiny: The Constitution of the Federation of

Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Star Publications.

3. Liow, J. C. (2009). Piety and politics: Islamism in contemporary Malaysia.

Oxford: Oxford University Press.

4. Mutalib, H. (2008). Islam in Malaysia: From revivalism to Islamic state?

Singapore: Singapore University Press.

5. Osman, M. N. M. (2017). Islamism in Malaysia: Politics and the state. Singapore:

ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.