Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice

Malaysia, as a pluralistic nation with a rich historical background, is recognized globally for its ability to maintain religious harmony. This study explores the factors contributing to religious tolerance in Malaysia, the challenges faced by religious communities and strategies to sustain societal...

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Main Authors: Nazneen Ismail, Aemy Elyani Mat Zain, Haslina Ibrahim, Safinah Ismail, Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan, Fatin Farzana Dass Meral
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/1/HA%206.pdf
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author Nazneen Ismail,
Aemy Elyani Mat Zain,
Haslina Ibrahim,
Safinah Ismail,
Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan,
Fatin Farzana Dass Meral,
author_facet Nazneen Ismail,
Aemy Elyani Mat Zain,
Haslina Ibrahim,
Safinah Ismail,
Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan,
Fatin Farzana Dass Meral,
author_sort Nazneen Ismail,
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Malaysia, as a pluralistic nation with a rich historical background, is recognized globally for its ability to maintain religious harmony. This study explores the factors contributing to religious tolerance in Malaysia, the challenges faced by religious communities and strategies to sustain societal stability. Key factors promoting tolerance include the wisdom of leaders, education, social and cultural traditions, the role of religious leaders, and personal experiences. However, challenges persist, such as ignorance, misuse of social media, emotional and political influences, differing educational backgrounds, and variations in religious practices. To address these issues, the study recommends fostering mutual respect among faiths, enhancing education focused on ethical interfaith interactions, disseminating accurate religious information, and enforcing laws that protect community rights while curbing misconduct. A collaborative, balanced approach involving education and enforcement is crucial. Leaders and religious figures play a pivotal role in ensuring that interfaith relations are rooted in knowledge, ethics, and cultural values, aligning with the nation’s aspiration for harmony amidst diversity.
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spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:256472025-07-18T12:30:32Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/ Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice Nazneen Ismail, Aemy Elyani Mat Zain, Haslina Ibrahim, Safinah Ismail, Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan, Fatin Farzana Dass Meral, Malaysia, as a pluralistic nation with a rich historical background, is recognized globally for its ability to maintain religious harmony. This study explores the factors contributing to religious tolerance in Malaysia, the challenges faced by religious communities and strategies to sustain societal stability. Key factors promoting tolerance include the wisdom of leaders, education, social and cultural traditions, the role of religious leaders, and personal experiences. However, challenges persist, such as ignorance, misuse of social media, emotional and political influences, differing educational backgrounds, and variations in religious practices. To address these issues, the study recommends fostering mutual respect among faiths, enhancing education focused on ethical interfaith interactions, disseminating accurate religious information, and enforcing laws that protect community rights while curbing misconduct. A collaborative, balanced approach involving education and enforcement is crucial. Leaders and religious figures play a pivotal role in ensuring that interfaith relations are rooted in knowledge, ethics, and cultural values, aligning with the nation’s aspiration for harmony amidst diversity. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/1/HA%206.pdf Nazneen Ismail, and Aemy Elyani Mat Zain, and Haslina Ibrahim, and Safinah Ismail, and Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan, and Fatin Farzana Dass Meral, (2025) Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice. Jurnal Hadhari, 17 (1). pp. 100-121. ISSN 1985-6830 https://ejournals.ukm.my/jhadhari
spellingShingle Nazneen Ismail,
Aemy Elyani Mat Zain,
Haslina Ibrahim,
Safinah Ismail,
Nur Aisyah Abu Hassan,
Fatin Farzana Dass Meral,
Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title_full Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title_fullStr Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title_full_unstemmed Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title_short Religious tolerance in Malaysia: idealism and practice
title_sort religious tolerance in malaysia: idealism and practice
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25647/1/HA%206.pdf