Sectarianism and De-escalating Sectarianism in Malaysia
REGIONAL SOCIAL & CULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR
About the Webinar
In 1992, the National University of Malaysia organized a seminar on Shi’ism that, overall, presented sectarian ideas against the sect. In 1996, the Malaysian religious authorities banned the teaching and practice of Shi’ism. This led to intensified discrimination against Shi’a followers, and emboldened conservative and right-wing organizations and individuals in the country including prominent religious elites. By contrast, this webinar examines recent efforts to de-escalate sectarianism through the promotion of taqrib or Islamic Ecumenicism between the different Islamic schools of thought. Organizations such as Persatuan Ulama Malaysia as well as individuals such as Abdul Hadi Awang, Mahathir Mohamad, Chandra Muzaffar, and Syed Farid Alatas are working to address sectarianism in the country. This webinar contends that studying sectarianism in Malaysia is important because it is a manifestation of non-violent extremism that can contribute to physical violence.
About the Speaker
Mohd Faizal Musa is Visiting Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and Associate at Weatherhead Centre Harvard University working on the Global Shia Diaspora project. He is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Malay World and Civilization, National University of Malaysia (UKM) where he earned his PhD in 2010. He is also a well-known fiction writer in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.
Limited spaces only, register early to avoid disappointment.
To join the webinar,
1. Install the Zoom client onto your computer or download the app on your mobile device.
2. Click on the unique link in your email.If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.