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Religion
Malaysia is a multi-religious society and Islam is the official religion.
According to the Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately
60.4 percent of the population practiced Islam; 19.2 percent Buddhism; 9.1
percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 2.6 percent traditional
Chinese religions. The remaining 2 percent was accounted for by other
faiths, including Animism and Sikhism. Until the twentieth century, most
practiced traditional beliefs, which arguably still linger on to a greater
degree than Malaysian officialdom is prepared to acknowledge.
Although the Malaysian constitution theoretically guarantees religious
freedom, in practice the situation is restricted. All ethnic Malays are
Muslim as defined in the Malaysian constitution. Additionally, all
non-Muslims who marry a Muslim must renounce their religion and convert to
Islam. Once a person becomes Muslim they cannot renounce Islam and convert
to another faith. Meanwhile, non-Muslims experience restrictions in
activities such as construction of religious buildings and the celebration
of certain religious events in some states. Muslims are obliged to follow
the decisions of Sharia courts when it comes to matters concerning their
religion. The jurisdiction of Sharia court is limited only to Muslims over
matters of Faith and Obligations as a Muslim, which includes marriage,
inheritance, apostasy, conversion, and custody among others. No other
criminal or civil offences are under the jurisdiction of the Sharia
courts. As a rule, the Civil Courts cannot overrule any decision made by
the Sharia Courts - not even the Federal Court. The Sharia courts have a
similar hierarchy to the Civil Courts.
resource : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia |