ABSTRACT
In discussing Islam in Malaysia today, the common narrative is that Malaysian Islam has regressed from a more ‘moderate’ version to a ‘conservative’ slant. While there is some truth in such claims, the reality is in fact far more complex. Such a categorization ignores the multiplicity of historical, social, and especially political forces which have coalesced or competed with each other, resulting in the formation of multiple Muslim identities. This chapter aims to discuss the history of Islam in Malaysia, while giving due attention to social and political factors. I posit that the study of the history of Islam in Malaysia can be divided into four main periods: 1) the pre-colonial era; 2) British colonial rule; 3) post-independence until 1981; and 4) post-1981, when Dr. Mahathir Mohamad assumed premiership, up till today. This is not to say that ‘Islam’ was uniform in each period, much less across them. Rather, the four eras have been chosen because they represent breaking points from the past in various ways. The last (contemporary) period is especially rife with contestations on the role of Islam in the public sphere and the position of non-Muslims in a Malaysian polity.
