Criminalising religious pluralism : the legal treatment of Shiites in Malaysia

Samuri, MA-A and Quraishi, MM ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6322-6256 2016, 'Criminalising religious pluralism : the legal treatment of Shiites in Malaysia' , Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies, IX (4) , pp. 425-454.

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Abstract

Shia teachings and doctrine are currently being socially-constructed as a new threat to the survival of Sunni Islam, followed by the majority of Muslims in Malaysia. The Government has taken action by using legal mechanisms to control the influence of Shia teachings and to prevent its widespread proliferation. The Islamic legal provisions concerning aqidah (Islamic creed)-related offences and fatwas are potentially regarded as tools to monitor the lives of Shia individuals and communities in Malaysia. This article critically evaluates the formal consequences for Shia communities in Malaysia stemming from a legal framework, which is based on Sunni Islam. Furthermore, this article evaluates the extent to which Islamic law and fatwas in Malaysia can control the practice and promulgation of Shia teachings. The significance of this article is in its depiction of how Islamic law in a Sunni Islamic state may impact the religious practices of individuals and communities who make up a Muslim minority, with Shiites being the prime example. Keywords: Faith-related crime; Sharia law in Malaysia; Minority religious group right; Sunni-Shiite relationship; Islam in Malaysia;

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies
Publisher:	ICAS Press, The Islamic College
ISSN:	1748-9423
Related URLs:	Publication
Depositing User:	Dr Muzammil Quraishi
Date Deposited:	11 Aug 2017 08:38
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 16:01
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/43454

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