Shi’ite in Malaysia: A study of their theology, rites and political inclination based on sects
The conflict and in some ocassions clash of faith between Shi’ite and Sunni has a very long history in Islamic civilization. The expansion of Shi’ite into Sunnite-based-countries including Malaysia has become serious and alarming due to the increase of its followers. Data provided by Media Muslim...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Serials Publications
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5604/1/FH02-INSPIRE-18-12311.pdf http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/5604/ |
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| Institution: | Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | The conflict and in some ocassions clash of faith between Shi’ite and Sunni has a very
long history in Islamic civilization. The expansion of Shi’ite into Sunnite-based-countries including
Malaysia has become serious and alarming due to the increase of its followers. Data provided
by Media Muslim.com announced that there are 154-200 millions Shi’ite followers worldwide
whereas Malaysian Department of Islamic Development claimed a total number of 1000 to
1500 of Shi’ite followers. The existence of Shi’ite in different typology of sects in Malaysia has
caused objection since it practices Sunni doctrine as its Islamic mainstream. Therefore, this article
attempts to highlight typology of Shi’ite sects in Malaysia which differs to each other in terms of
theology, rites and political inclination. Different typology of Shi’ite doctrines will be discussed
at length using document analysis and interviews with selected key informants. The result of the
study shows that reports by the Department of Islamic Affairs from majority states in Malaysia
and information gathered from selected key informants that there are three main sects of Shi’ite
in Malaysia namely Dawoodi Bohra, the Ismai’li Agha Khan and the Twelver. It is also found
that each sect has its own doctrine in relation to theology, rites and political inclination which in
some areas are similar to each other and in some other ocassions are different. It is expected that
the finding of this study will set as indicators of different Shi’ite typology in Malaysia. |
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