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Malaysian Extraversion towards the Muslim World: Ideological Positioning for a “Mirror Effect”
Die Extraversion Malaysias gegenüber der muslimischen Welt: ideologische Positionierung für einen "Spiegeleffekt"
[journal article]
Abstract Despite being ambitious, the solidarity expressed by Malaysia toward the global ummah
has almost always remained tied to the strategic priorities of the country and been
subject to non-religious factors. In this light, the changes throughout history in
the Federation of Malaysia... view more
Despite being ambitious, the solidarity expressed by Malaysia toward the global ummah
has almost always remained tied to the strategic priorities of the country and been
subject to non-religious factors. In this light, the changes throughout history in
the Federation of Malaysia’s policies regarding Muslim minorities in Asian countries
illustrate the variable external use of Islamic themes by Malaysian officials. In
order for Malaysian governments to reconcile opposing positions whose configurations
emphasize the ambiguities inherent to their actions, throughout history these governments
have been obliged to continually re-evaluate their positions according to the relevant
contingencies. For example, they have occasionally delegated to third parties the
mission of conducting, under their close monitoring, projects that they had taken
on with reservations. In addition, the strongly promoted claim by the United Malays
National Organisation (UMNO, the leading Malay party of the governing coalition) –
that it could offer a universal development model for Islamic society – has never
really been convincing. This model has never been able to go beyond its initial local
origins, which has greatly limited its ability to be replicated in other countries.
However, beyond their opportunistic dimension (even if they are not without ideological
aspects), Malaysia’s diplomatic positions toward the Muslim world are marked by different
inspirations. They have also been guided by an underlying search for the legitimation
and international recognition of the country’s broad domestic socio-political model,
thereby appealing to a “mirror effect” to foster the reshaping of a postcolonial Malay
identity within the frame¬work of globalisation.... view less
Keywords
Malaysia; Muslim; religious community; religious policy; religious affiliation; religious movement; religious factors; religiousness; identification; identity formation; action orientation; interests; Southeast Asia; developing country; Asia
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Sociology of Religion
Method
descriptive study; empirical
Document language
English
Publication Year
2012
Page/Pages
p. 3-29
Journal
Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 31 (2012) 4
ISSN
1868-4882
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Creative Commons - Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works