I'll try to give you a brief overview here Bill, in the hopes that something constructive comes out out this thread
Please keep in mind that this relates to Malaysia (and where suitable, I'll link it to other Muslim nations) also, if there any Malaysians reading this, please feel free to register
and correct me, if you think I have misrepresented the country in any way.
Before, I attempt to answer your questions, Malaysia is divided into four ethnic groups. The dominant Malays (who are Muslim), second comes the Chinese, third Indians and finally - I kid you not the -
Others (not really an ethnic group, rather a cultural
formation, made up mostly of Euroasians.
This is important because there is a social contract agreed upon by all which was drafted by the British and incorporated (parts of it) into the Constitution. This in part has ensured stability (if fostering a general racial unease) and resulted in a roadblock to any true national identity.
With this is mind, I'll go about answering your specific questions. Also it is vital to remember that the non-Malays are subject to the country's civil law, while in matters of religion
only* (so far) the Malays are subject to a mild form (compared to the law practiced in other more extreme Muslim enviroments) Syariah law.
*it's more complex than this but too complicated to get into here
Actually, I would be more interested in reading your views on the subject of women's rights,
Women (regardless of religion/ethnic grouping) enjoy the full rights as women of any other country. Keep in mind that Malaysian society on the whole is pretty conservative, but really there are no real restraints on womens rights here.
All of the freedom (and by this I mean voting, dressing*, birth control etc) that women enjoy in the West (or should I say experience in the West) are enjoyed by women here.
Sure abortions are illegal like in some other countries (regardless or maybe because of religion), but they are available (not in the open) to those who want them.
With regards, to the Malays (Muslims), women make up nearly 60% of the student population in the local Universities. Stuff like the Hijab(
tudung) is a personal choice and not mandatory....but the more conservative Muslim elements** are trying to impose their will first on the Malay culture and then most probably on the non - Malays.
views on foreigners/non-Muslims
Again as a society made of of various ethnic groups, we are an extremely welcoming society. A little more gentle and polite in the way how we treat foreigners than compared to how western countries treat visitors (not that western countires treat visitors badly
).
This could be due to our(malay and non- malay alike) colonial history which has resulted in a view of Westerners fused with scorn (for the past), mutual respect (for the present) and weary contemplativeness (for an economic adversorial future)
Religion does not really play a part in it. Sure there is growing anti American sentiment, but this really does not have much to do with religion...well it does, but only for the ignorant anti Americans.
Mostly though Malaysia like any other Muslim country is slowly being infected with the toxic bile of Wahhabism (sp) which is dividing the Muslim population already straddled with issues of corruption, moral anomie (they won't admit it but it's true), a widening divide between the have and the have nots.
This has resulted in much tension amongst the various ethnic groups. For example:
* - The northern states are under the influence of a Muslim state goverment which has recently proposed that the state in effect act as the moral guardians of how women dress (in those states), regardless of religion or ethnic group. This goes against the social contract and possibly federal law. We will have to wait and see how this plays out.
and personal freedoms...
Let's just say we can do more or less what you folks do in your country within reason***. Sure we are not as
free(?) in the American sense, be we are not oppresed...Christ, I should not even have to say this...
You have first hand experience of a sophisticated and successful nation where Islam is the dominant religion.
** Fundamentalism fuelled by Wahhabi dollars and Western adventurism is the key issue most Muslim nations face. That and a corrupt system (in every way) makes the idea to submitting (sic) to a higher authority more appealing to desperate folks. Malaysia although not in such an extreme situation, is heading down that path.
As usual folks like me have to remain rational and weary of two opposing sides. One hand , Western Neo conservatism which is fueled by self interest disguised as freedom and on the other Islamic fundamentalism fueled by self interest disguised as faith...needless to say I'm accepted by neither side.
*** For more information on my country you can go here :
http://www.therpgsite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=39465#post39465Although you may not get the context, it is a good view of what is happening in my country, with comments by one of the nation's leading if despised Islamic scholars.
Sorry for the long ramble.
Regards,
David R