International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS)

232.

Panel Title            : APPROACHES TO ‘MODERATE' ISLAM IN ASIA-THE DYNAMICS AMONG ISLAM, MUSLIM IDENTITY, POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN ASIA  (PANEL I ): SOUTHEAST ASIA

Institution             : The National Bureau of Asian Research

Convener              : Arusa Mahin Karim

Chair                      : Fred Von Mehden

Panel Abstract    :

Islam and Muslim Identity in Malaysia-Trends and Transformations, Osman Bakar, University of Malaya: This report provides a comprehensive overview of moderate Islam in Malaysia. The report highlights Malaysia as a ‘moderate' Muslim country that is a model of stability in the Muslim world, with a strong record for both economic development and inter-ethnic harmony, attributed to constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, policies that stress power sharing at the governmental level, and religious tolerance at communal levels. At the same time, the report stressed a growing need for inter-religious dialogue to resolve conflicts arising over mixed marriages, conversions, and inter-religious interaction resulting from increased social mobility. Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Thailand, Imtiyaz Yusuf, Assumption University: This report provides an overview of the Muslim community in Thailand, based on field research and interviews. The report focuses on the views of self-identified Muslim ‘moderates' in Thailand. Interviewees expressed gratitude for the religious freedom the Buddhist majority state guarantees them, and indicated clear concern for Muslim-Buddhist relations resulting from conflicts in southern Thailand. They indicated general sympathy with Muslim complaints of discrimination in the south, but strong opposition to the militancy emanating from Thailand's southern regions. Informants also expressed concern about growing sectarian divides within Thailand's Muslim community

Participants   :

Osman Bakar

Paper Title      : Islam and Muslim Identity in Malaysia-Trends and Transformations

Abstract                :

This report provides a comprehensive overview of moderate Islam in Malaysia. The report highlights Malaysia as a ‘moderate' Muslim country that is a model of stability in the Muslim world, with a strong record for both economic development and inter-ethnic harmony, attributed to constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, policies that stress power sharing at the governmental level, and religious tolerance at communal levels. At the same time, the report stressed a growing need for inter-religious dialogue to resolve conflicts arising over mixed marriages, conversions, and inter-religious interaction resulting from increased social mobility.

Imtiyaz Yusof

Paper Title            : Approaches to ‘Moderate' Islam in Thailand

Abstract                :

This report provides an overview of the Muslim community in Thailand, based on field research and interviews. The report focuses on the views of self-identified Muslim ‘moderates' in Thailand. Interviewees expressed gratitude for the religious freedom the Buddhist majority state guarantees them, and indicated clear concern for Muslim-Buddhist relations resulting from conflicts in southern Thailand. They indicated general sympathy with Muslim complaints of discrimination in the south, but strong opposition to the militancy emanating from Thailand's southern regions. Informants also expressed concern about growing sectarian divides within Thailand's Muslim community.

Amina Rasul Bernado

Paper Title            : (Phillippines Paper)

Fred Von Mehden

Paper Title            : Regional Assesment and Implications for the United States