| Summary/Abstract |
In contrast to the allegedly puritan, ‘intolerant’ Islam practiced in the Middle East, Islam in Malaysia has always been portrayed especially in Western media as rather moderate. Given the fact that Islam in Malaysia has taken a conservative turn since the 1980s, such assertions are increasingly problematic. This paper attempts to explain the Islamic conservative turn in Malaysia and identify its social and political implications. It seeks to highlight how this conservative turn will impact Malaysian society and politics. An important impact that will be discussed in the paper is the emergence of neo-Sufi and neo-Salafi movements. The paper will end by examining the future trajectory of Islam in the country.
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