Religious extremism in Malaysia after 9/11 : causes and consequences

Abstract

This research examines the rise of religious extremism in Malaysia after 9/11, and its causes and consequences. Malaysia is a multi-cultural and multi-religious country with the Muslim majority population. For decades, the country has been known for its moderate practice of religion and widely practised tolerance. Nonetheless, in the recent years, a shift toward becoming more religiously extreme, inclusive and ultra-religious could be observed rising. The increase of extremism on the bases of religious understanding has become a grave threat for Malaysia’s well-being and security. Along with many other reasons, religious extremism is one of the major contributing factors to terrorism and a threat to national security and can undermine peace and harmony in the country. In conducting this research, mixed-mode methodology of qualitative-quantitative techniques was employed, such as survey questionnaire, expert interview and content analysis. The research findings reveal that, for the case of Malaysia, religion is not the main factor for the rise of religious extremism as proclaimed by international politicians and media, rather, it is only a tool that has been commonly used to justify an act of extremism. In fact, the rising of religious extremism in Malaysia is more closely related to the inclusion of extensive use of cultural sentiments. In its entirety, the research found that the Malaysian Muslims are leaning toward the direction of becoming more religiously extreme, conservative, sensitive and inclusive. Based on the study, the last part of the research provides some policy recommendations to improve social cohesion and security in Malaysia in the way of eliminating religious extremism.