Interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism
The members of the Malaysia Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism with His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarullahu-lahu (front row, third from right) in Ipoh, Perak, after a meeting on religious harmony in 1996.
One of the distinctive features of Malaysia is the great diversity of its peoples and cultures. Religious pluralism is therefore an existential reality and Malaysians live harmoniously with persons of different religions. Since achieving Independence in 1957, Islam has been the official religion. However, the Malaysian Constitution is also explicit in upholding the freedom of worship and allowing non-Muslims to practise their own religions. In general, the interaction across religions has not only been harmonious but mutually enriching as well.
- Information in the full article includes
- The Rukunegara and Vision 2020
- Interfaith initiatives in Malaysia