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ID: 134031

Salafi Ulama in UMNO: political convergence or expediency? / Nawab, Mohamed; Osman, Mohamed

Nawab, Mohamed	Journal Article
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2014.

Summary/Abstract

The Salafi ulama (religious scholars) in Malaysia have seen their religious and political influence amplified over the last five years. Operating within a newly formed organization, the Pertubuhan Ilmuwan Malaysia (ILMU) and the newly augmented United Malays National Organization's (UMNO) young ulama wing, Salafi scholars play a key role in providing Islamic legitimacy to the government and defending it against the opposition Islamist party, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). The decision by Salafi scholars to support the Malaysian government is striking given their hardline views on the implementation of Islamic laws and their opposition to democracy. This paper seeks to understand the reasons for the Salafi ulama's support for UMNO. It argues that the Salafi ulama's involvement in UMNO is due to a convergence of interest between the two groups and as part of a strategy by the Salafi ulama to expand their influence at both the state and societal levels. The paper examines the religious-political positions of the Salafi ulama on issues such as the Islamic state, the implementation of Islamic laws and democratic political system, and argues that they are opposed to the current state of religious affairs and the political structure of the Malaysian state. Nevertheless, the ulama are working within UMNO to change the political system. For UMNO leaders, the Salafi ulama form an important group that could defend the party against religious attacks from PAS and provide the party with greater religious credence.

Key Words

Political System ; Malaysia ; Islamic Law ; UMNO ; Islamic States ; Political Influence ;
Political Structure ; Democratic Political System ; Political Convergence ; Islamic Ethnicity ; Islamic Legitimacy ; Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party - PAS ;
Religious Credence ; Religious Attacks ; Strategy

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ID: 081544

Towards a history of Malaysian ulama / Nawab, Mohamed; Osman, Mohamed

Nawab, Mohamed	Journal Article
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Publication

2008.

Summary/Abstract

This paper traces the religio-political role of ulama in Malaysia. Its key argument is that historically the ulama in Malaysia have maintained a symbiotic relationship with various political authorities. From early Islamic history to the Japanese occupation, ulama have usually worked with any power willing to secure their authority and influence. The paper also shows that even when the ulama oppose the government - exemplified by the opposition of Parti Islam Se-Malaysia ulama to the UMNO-led Malaysian government - this opposition tends to stem from differences in politics rather than religious ideologies

Key Words

Malaysia ; Religio-Political Role ; Ulama ; Islam

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