ABSTRACT
This chapter concerns new forms of mediated performance of Malay-Muslim identity in Malaysia that have emerged in the spaces where such dichotomies have been challenged and where the global Muslim project can be imagined from a particularly Malaysian perspective. Marwan Kraidy's work on reality television and Arab politics has illustrated the potential for reality TV to generate heated debates about Western cultural influence, gender relations, political participation and the role of Islam in public life in predominantly Muslim societies. Islam remains the spiritual and moral foundation of a secular state, despite a sizeable minority who are not Muslims. A defining moment for Malaysian talent shows and the Muslim social imaginary arrived in 2005 when Asmawi Ani auditioned for Akademi Fantasia. An important part of the media extravaganza was the appearance of the country's most respected Muslim authorities, including the minister for religious affairs.
