Religion in Malaysia

3 weeks ago - The constitution guarantees freedom of religion while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation" to symbolise its importance to Malaysian society. Malaysian Chinese practice various faiths: Mahayana Buddhism, Chinese traditional religions (including Taoism), and Theravada Buddhism (along with Siamese, Burmese, Sinhalese and Indians).

4 days ago - Islam was introduced to Malaysia by traders arriving from Persia, Arabia, China and the Indian subcontinent. It became firmly established in the 15th century. In the Constitution of Malaysia, Islam is granted the status of "religion of the Federation" to symbolize its importance to Malaysian society, while defining Malaysia constitutionally as a secular state.

July 26, 1999 - Malaysia - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism: Islam, Malaysia’s official religion, is followed by about three-fifths of the population. Islam is one of the most important factors distinguishing a Malay from a non-Malay, and, by law, all Malays are Muslim.

August 9, 2025 - Malaysian folk religion refers to the animistic and polytheistic beliefs and practices that are still held by many in the Islamic-majority country of Malaysia. Folk religion in Malaysia is practised either openly or covertly depending on the ...

2 weeks ago - The official language is Malaysian Malay, a standard form of the Malay language. English remains an active second language. While recognising Islam as the official religion, the constitution grants freedom of religion to non-Muslims.

2 weeks ago - On 29 September 2001, the then Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad declared that the country was an Islamic state (negara Islam). The opposition leader at the time, Lim Kit Siang, is now actively seeking support to declare Mahathir's move as unconstitutional by repeatedly clarifying that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as its official religion as enshrined in the Constitution.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Religion in Malaysia. This category has the following 18 subcategories, out of 18 total. ... The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total. This list may not reflect recent changes.

October 29, 2025 - People of Indian descent are derogatory called "Keling" in Malaysia. Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. The Constitution of Malaysia declares that Islam is the only religion of true Malay people and that natives are required to be Muslims.

Islam was first introduced to the region of present-day Malaysia by Arab and Indian traders and merchants from the 10th century through to the 15th century. The spread and influence of Islam mainly occured with the conversion (rather than conquest) of local chieftains and rulers, which was followed by other members of the population. Since the Malacca Sultanate (15th century), Islam as been the most widely followed religion.

Kedah’s King Mudzaffar Shah first adopted Islam around 900 years ago transforming his Hindu Kingdom into Malaysia’s first Sultanate. The religion began to spread through different settlements culminating in a 15th-century Golden Age under the Malacca Sultanate.

Ethnic groups: Malay 50.2%, Chinese ... 1.2%. Religions: Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%), Confucianism (2.6%), tribal/folk (0.8%), other (0.4%), none/unknown (1.2%)....

November 24, 2020 - The official religion of Malaysia is Islam, which is practiced by more than 60% of the population. Malaysia is home to various ethnicities, including Chinese, Indian, Thai and others.

January 4, 2025 - Most citizens are Muslim, with Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism as the other major religions practiced. The government continued to arrest individuals during the year for blasphemy.

June 13, 2023 - Buddhist festivals are observed as national holidays in the country, as directed by the Malaysian Buddhist Council. The messages of peace, unity, brotherhood, and enlightenment are evident in the practices of Buddhists, and the vivid festivals only add to the charm. Confucianism, Taoism, and Daoism are practised by a minority here. The blanket term of Chinese religions is used as most of the practitioners' hail from China and Taiwan.

April 25, 2017 - The official religion in Malaysia is Sunni Islam, and the practice of any other versions of Islam in the country is prohibited. Traders from Arabia, China, and India introduced Islam in Malaysia and established it in the 15th Century.

October 15, 2025 - Discover the rich religious diversity of Malaysia. Explore how faiths like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity contribute to its unique culture and harmony.

According to 2000 census figures, 60 percent of the population practices Islam; 19 percent Buddhism; 9 percent Christianity; 6 percent Hinduism; and 3 percent Confucianism, Taoism, and other traditional Chinese religions.

Islam in Malaysia is represented by the Shafi'i version of Sunni theology and the practice of any other form of the religion (such as Shia Islam) is heavily restricted by the government.[14][15] The constitution guarantees freedom of religion while establishing Islam as the "religion of the Federation" to symbolise its importance to Malaysian society.[14][15] Malaysian Chinese practice various faiths: Mahayana Buddhism, Chinese traditional religions (including Taoism), and Theravada Buddhism (along with Siamese, Burmese, Sinhalese and Indians).