The implementation of inter-religious dialogue in Malaysia is still less encouraging, although it has been implemented for a few decades. This reality is apparently associated with scepticism towards inter-religious dialogue itself. Inter-religious dialogue is often misunderstood as a platform to promote religious pluralism which is detrimental to aqidah. However, a case study conducted on three Islamic organizations namely Islamic Propagation Society International (IPSI), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) and Islamic Information Services (IIS) conveyed that these organizations had implemented inter-religious dialogue as part of their da’wah efforts. This study aims at exploring the implementation of inter-religious dialogue in Malaysia, assessing the role of inter-religious dialogue in da’wah as stated in the Quran and, examining Islamic organizations involve in inter-religious dialogue and da’wah. This study offers a novelty in the realm of inter-religious dialogue where it combines socio-psychological and theological framework in gauging inter-religious dialogue in Malaysia. The findings from this study yields practical implication for the dialogue practitioners and organizations to enrich their own dialogue models based on the types and designs of dialogue identified in this research. The findings also proves that dialogue is harmless to aqidah, in fact it is a medium to spread da’wah.
Abdul Rahman, E. (2001). The Culture and practice of pluralism in post-colonial Malaysia in R. W. Hefner (ed), The politics of multiculturalism: pluralism and citizenship in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia (pp. 59-87). University of Hawai’i Press.
Anbalagan, V. (2022). Loh challenges kids’ conversion, says ex-hubby legally unfit. Free Malaysia Today.
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/03/25/loh-challenges-kids-conversion-says-ex-hubby-legally-unfit/
Arfah, A. M., Haslina, I., Himmah, Z. A., Lee, Y. F., & Adlina, A. H. (2020). Designing Inter-Religious Dialogue Model for the Grassroots: A Preliminary Survey, International Journal of Advanced Research in Islamic and Humanities, 2(3), 1-18.
Azrinah, A. R. (2009). Persepsi pelajar tehadap dialog antara agama: Kajian dalam kalangan pelajar tahun 4, Fakulti pendidikan, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor (Students' perceptions towards inter-religious dialogue: A study among 4th year students, Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, Johor). [Doctoral thesis, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia]. UTM Institutional Repository. http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/10439/
Haslina, I. (2011), Dialog antara agama dan sumbangan terhadap perpaduan nasional: Status, prospek dan cabaran (Inter-religious dialogue and its contribution to national unity: Status, prospects and challenges). [Paper presentation]. Persidangan Kebangsaan Perpaduan Nasional 2011, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
Hussin, M. (1993). Islam in Malaysia: From revivalism to Islamic State. National University of Singapore.
Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia. (2009). A multi-cultural understanding of filial piety. Dialogue Program’s Concept Paper.
Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia. (2010). Peranan Agama dalam menangani masalah sosial (The role of religions in dealing with social problems). Dialogue program’s guide.
Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia. (n.d.). Background of the establishment. http:// www.ikim. gov.my/v5/index.php?lg=1&opt=com_info&grp=5&men=2&key=980
Background of the establishment. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from www.ikim. gov.my/v5/index.php?lg=1&opt=com_info&grp=5&men=2&key=9801010
Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia.(n.d.). Functions. http://www.ikim.gov.my/v5/index.php? lg=2&opt=com_info&grp=5&men=40&key=1012
Islamic Information and Services Foundation. (2006). About IIS. http://www.iis.org.my/about-iis/
Islamic Information and Services Foundation. (2010). Sowing seeds of understanding & harmony (an inter-faith dialogue between Muslims & Buddhists). http://www.iis.org.my/2010/07/
Islamic Propagation Society International. (n.d.). About IPSI. http://www.ipsi.com.my/index. php? option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=53
Islamic Propagation Society International. (n.d.b). Our ways. http://www.ipsi.com.my/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=6
Islamic propagation Society International.(n.d.c). Profile: Our mission statement. Penang: Author.
Khairulnizam, M. K., & Suzy, A. S. (2008). Realiti aplikasi dialog antara agama di Malaysia: Kajian terhadap Inter-faith Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF) dan Pusat Dialog Peradaban, Universiti Malaya (Reality applications of Inter-faith dialogue in Malaysia: Study on Inter-Faith Spiritual Fellowship (INSaF) dan Pusat Dialog Peradaban, Universiti Malaya). [Paper presentation]. National Seminar on Science, Technology & Social Sciences 2008, Pahang. Malaysia.
Saleem, S. F. (2004). Constitutional perspectives on freedom of religion, secularism and theocracy. In A.S. Ibrahim (ed). Islam, democracy and good governance-The Malaysian experience: Essays in honour of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Pusat Penerbitan Universiti (UPENA) UiTM.
Shamsul, A. B. (1997). Identity construction, nation formation, and Islamic Revivalism in Malaysia. In R.W. Hefner & P. Horvatich Islam (Eds.), Islam in an era of nation-states (pp. 207-230). University of Hawai’i Press.
Yousif, A. F. (2011). Religious freedom, minorities and Islam: An inquiry into the Malaysian Experience. IIUM Press.
Yeoh, C. R. (2006). Malaysia, truly Asia? Religious pluralism in Malaysia. http:// pluralism.org / reports/view/42
Zuniga, X., & Nagda, B. A. (2001). Design considerations for inter-group dialogue. In D. Schoem and S. Hurtado (eds.). Inter-group dialogue: Deliberative democracy in school, college, community and workplace (pp. 306–327). University of Michigan Press.
In-Text Citation: (Majid, 2022)
To Cite this Article: Majid, A. A. (2022). Inter-Religious Dialogue: Detrimental to Aqidah or Medium of Da’wah? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(10), 2518– 2532.
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
