ABSTRACT
Historically, the culture of peninsular Malay and Islam is almost synonymous – to the extent that on accepting Islam as his or her religion, one would be seen as becoming Malay. In a sense it would be incomprehensible to see peninsular Malays embrace a religion other than Islam. Foreigners, as well as contemporary Malays, could easily be confused as to whether the rites and rituals of Malay cultural practice are actually customary or are prescribed by religion.
