Islam as the official religion of Malaysia
Since Independence in 1957, the official status of Islam in the Malaysian Federal Constitution is based on a single provision which states that ‘Islam is the religion of the Federation'. However, the legal system of the country is not completely governed by syariah or Islamic law. The provision is also not meant to interfere with the powers of the Malay Rulers as the traditional heads and guardians of Islam in their respective states, nor is it intended to restrict freedom of religion and worship, or to affect the lawful interests of non-Muslims. Nevertheless, as it is the official religion, certain privileges are accorded to Islam.
- Information in the full article includes
- Constitutional background
- The scope of Article 3
- Islam and the Malay Rulers
- The implications of Islam as the official religion
- Limits of religious freedom
- Financial support
