Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious state. The Muslims constitute 61.3%, Christians 9.1%, Hindus 6.3%, Buddhist 19.2%, Sikhs 0.9% and others 2.6% of the population of Malaysia. This study examines the stated position and views of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) an...

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Main Authors: Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez, Ibrahim, Haslina
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: IIUM Press 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/1/61849_Christian%20Federation%20of%20Malaysia.pdf
id iium-61849
recordtype eprints
spelling iium-618492019-10-09T07:34:03Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/ Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez Ibrahim, Haslina BR Christianity BT Doctrinal Theology Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious state. The Muslims constitute 61.3%, Christians 9.1%, Hindus 6.3%, Buddhist 19.2%, Sikhs 0.9% and others 2.6% of the population of Malaysia. This study examines the stated position and views of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) of Malaysia on religious freedom, the Islamization approach in Malaysia and the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians. This study argues that examination of the stated views and responses of non-Muslim citizens of Malaysia about issues of freedom of religion, Islamization approach and the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Malaysia’s non-Muslim citizens is important for the preservation and maintenance of religious and racial harmony and political stability in the country. The study used qualitative method of data collection. The study examined CFM and NECF online data official documents and newspapers and conducted in-depth interviews as main sources of data collection. The study found that the objectives of the CFM and NECF and the issues that led to their establishment and their focus/target group are different. Yet, both organizations are similarly concerned with the objectivity of their organization and want to honor the spirit of the Federal Constitution in their stated positions and responses toward issues that are related to Christian interests and rights to freedom of religion and the use of the word ‘Allah’. The study found that CFM and NECF have suggested interpretations of the Federal Constitution in such a manner that can preserve religious harmony, freedom of religion and respect for the rights of followers of other religions in Malaysia. The study also found that the CFM and NECF also suggest that one way to overcome religious differences and potential inter-religious conflict is to promote inter-religious dialogues among the followers of different religions in Malaysia. Finally, the study, among others, recommends that government agencies and religious institutions play a more pro-active role in making policies on propagating and engaging adherents of various religions in Malaysia. IIUM Press 2017 Book PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/1/61849_Christian%20Federation%20of%20Malaysia.pdf Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez and Ibrahim, Haslina (2017) Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues. IIUM Press, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-418-611-1
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Local University
institution International Islamic University Malaysia
building IIUM Repository
collection Online Access
language English
topic BR Christianity
BT Doctrinal Theology
spellingShingle BR Christianity
BT Doctrinal Theology
Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez
Ibrahim, Haslina
Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
description Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious state. The Muslims constitute 61.3%, Christians 9.1%, Hindus 6.3%, Buddhist 19.2%, Sikhs 0.9% and others 2.6% of the population of Malaysia. This study examines the stated position and views of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) of Malaysia on religious freedom, the Islamization approach in Malaysia and the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians. This study argues that examination of the stated views and responses of non-Muslim citizens of Malaysia about issues of freedom of religion, Islamization approach and the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Malaysia’s non-Muslim citizens is important for the preservation and maintenance of religious and racial harmony and political stability in the country. The study used qualitative method of data collection. The study examined CFM and NECF online data official documents and newspapers and conducted in-depth interviews as main sources of data collection. The study found that the objectives of the CFM and NECF and the issues that led to their establishment and their focus/target group are different. Yet, both organizations are similarly concerned with the objectivity of their organization and want to honor the spirit of the Federal Constitution in their stated positions and responses toward issues that are related to Christian interests and rights to freedom of religion and the use of the word ‘Allah’. The study found that CFM and NECF have suggested interpretations of the Federal Constitution in such a manner that can preserve religious harmony, freedom of religion and respect for the rights of followers of other religions in Malaysia. The study also found that the CFM and NECF also suggest that one way to overcome religious differences and potential inter-religious conflict is to promote inter-religious dialogues among the followers of different religions in Malaysia. Finally, the study, among others, recommends that government agencies and religious institutions play a more pro-active role in making policies on propagating and engaging adherents of various religions in Malaysia.
format Book
author Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez
Ibrahim, Haslina
author_facet Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez
Ibrahim, Haslina
author_sort Mhd Omar, Mohd Faridh Hafez
title Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
title_short Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
title_full Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
title_fullStr Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
title_full_unstemmed Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF): their responses to contemporary issues
title_sort christian federation of malaysia (cfm) and national evangelical christian fellowship (necf): their responses to contemporary issues
publisher IIUM Press
publishDate 2017
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/61849/1/61849_Christian%20Federation%20of%20Malaysia.pdf
first_indexed 2023-09-18T21:27:44Z
last_indexed 2023-09-18T21:27:44Z
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