The Influence of the Malay religious identity on non-Muslim public roles : a socio-religious analysis

Abstract

Malay-Muslims have a typical understanding of themselves: as Malays and as Muslims. However, Malays are increasingly referring to themselves as Muslims (religious identity) rather than Malay (ethnic identity) due to Islamisation. Despite the importance of their religious identity for understanding themselves, it is also significant in intergroup relations with others in Malaysia, a democratic and pluralistic society. This study identified and examined the components of Malay-Muslim identity, socially and psychologically as well as examining the influences they have on non-Muslim public roles. The impacts of Malay-Muslim identity in Malaysia were understudied and overshadowed by Malay ethnic identity. Previous studies have not considered Malay-Muslim identity from a perspective of socio-religious psychology. The study involved questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews. The data collected were analysed using statistical and content analysis. The results indicate that the salient identity of Malay is Malay-Muslim, and the Malay religious identity displays substantial bias towards non-Muslims, especially when perceiving that non-Muslims should not participate in government employment and typically hold prominent positions. These responses, from the perspective of social identity, are due to in-group identification as land owner, and special position granted by the Federal Constitution, which created differentiation or boundary between Muslims and non-Muslims. The Quran does not explicitly advocate for the exclusion of non-Muslims from positions of public authority. Nonetheless, Quranic verses that encourage a sense of superiority and set boundaries between believers and non-believers are where prejudice and discrimination against non-Muslims rest. This study suggests that the social (religious) identity’s psychological reaction is more than religious teachings, and the dimensions involved are strong self-identification and a sense of superiority as ummah, a differentiation and comparison between Muslims and non-Muslims. Hence, this study contributes to a broader knowledge concerning Islam (Muslim identity) from a perspective of socio-religious psychology. The study concludes that prejudicial acts towards non-Muslims are mainly due to religious identity’s psychological reaction, and that represented one of the main influences for the exclusion of non-Muslims in public roles. The study proposes that the communities should emphasise and promote Malaysian identity instead of religious identity because religious identity demonstrates prejudice and bias.