Mohd Sani, Mohd Azizuddin and Abdul Hamed Shah, Dian Diana (2010) Freedom of religious expression in Malaysia. In: The Third International Conference on International Studies (ICIS 2010), 1st-2nd December 2010, Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur. College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia. , Sintok, pp. 1-12. ISBN 9789832078456

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Abstract

There are always debates about the role of religion in the today's modern world and how does it respond to the issues like freedom of religious, religious expression and hate speech, inter-faith dialogues, and war on terror led by the United States. Cultural sensitivities, especially concerning race and religion, are the main obstacles to the implementation of religious freedom in Malaysia. Great care is taken not to impinge on the religious sensitivities of various groups. Given the fact that Islam is the official religion, care is taken not to publish articles that cast a slur, intended or otherwise, on the religion or its adherents. All the media, including those operated by the opposition, follow this policy. Malays, by constitutional definition, are Muslims and with the inclusion of some aspects of Chinese, Indian, and tribal culture, and no media can carry articles that question the faith or ridicule it. Thus, religious expression has always been monitored by the government in order to protect the racial harmony in multiracial-multicultural society in Malaysia. This protection is covered in the constitution and it can clearly be seen in practice in certain issues such as religious expression in the press, blasphemy, religious authority, inter-faith commission, and dress codes. This paper will look into some important issues and explain how has the issue of religious expression been tackled by the government and society? Can religious expression harming the society? What is allowed and disallowed? All these questions will be answered in this paper in explaining the practice of religious expression in Malaysia.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Jointly organised by Ministry of Higher Education, UUM College of Law, Government & International Studies (UUM COLGIS) and Association of International Studies Malaysia (AIS)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
Divisions:	College of Law, Government and International Studies
Depositing User:	Mrs. Norazmilah Yaakub
Date Deposited:	22 Feb 2011 09:31
Last Modified:	27 Feb 2011 04:15
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/2510

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