ABSTRACT
The Muslim Malay majority not only shapes the cultural norms of society but also shapes inter-ethnic communication behavior in Malaysia. Generally, the ideas of intercultural communication in Malaysia as noted by J. C. Kennedy are based on harmonious relationships between ethnic groups, respect for other religions, and belief in face-saving. Communication from the Muslim perspective is based on the notion of establishing peace, tolerance, and respect and bringing about happiness for all human beings. The holy Quran and the sunnah set a basic rule for a Muslim to form and communicate with other Muslims and non-Muslims. In fact Muslim Malays when communicating with others emphasize modesty and face-saving as emphasized in Islamic principles. National culture makes interpretation of Islam differ from one culture to another. For example, the practice of Islam in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei differs significantly from countries of South Asia and West Asia.
