Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, and as such, visitors should respect local social conventions. During the fasting month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. You should be particularly aware of offending Muslim sensitivities during this period. You should also dress modestly in conservative and rural areas, and when visiting places of worship. Homosexual acts are illegal.

Malaysia has a population of just over 26 million (2006). According to government census figures, in 2005 approximately 58 percent of the population are Muslim; 22.9 percent practice Buddhism; 11.1 percent, Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 2.6 percent Confucianism, Taoism, and other traditional Chinese religions. The remaining percentages were accounted for by other faiths, including animism, Sikhism and the Bahá'í Faith. However, this figure may be misleading as all Malays (the majority race of the country) are required to be Muslim as defined by the Malaysian Constitution.

Additionally, many of the Chinese community, which comprises the bulk of the Buddhist population, actually practise a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism and Chinese folk religion. As there is no official name for this particular set of beliefs, many followers instead list down their religion as Buddhism, mainly for bureaucratic convenience.

Islam in Malaysia

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. As required by Malaysian law and defined in the Constitution of Malaysia, a Malay would surrender his ethnic status if he were not Muslim. However the reverse is not legally true; one does not legally become a Bumiputra by converting to Islam. Malaysian Muslims are primarily Malays although there are substantial numbers of Indian and Pakistani Muslims and increasing numbers of ethnic Chinese converts. A number of young Muslims, especially those from a more secular or westernized background are less-than-practicing Muslims. They observe the practice of a holy month (Ramadan), when fasting during daylight hours is mandatory, and abstain from pork, yet may not pray five times a day nor visit mosques frequently.

Buddhism in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi confessional society, with slightly more than half of its people being Muslims. The internal conflicts the nation has faced have generally been precipitated by ethnicity rather than religion. The country is officially a Muslim state, and the Government actively promotes the spread of Islam in the country and its friendship with other Muslim countries. Nevertheless, other religions are tolerated and the individual's right to the freedom of worship is listed in the country's constitution. The government also gives grants to religious bodies of other religions for building projects and other programs. All the major religious festival days of the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians have been declared national public holidays, 11.1% of Malaysia's population is Buddhist.

Christianity in Malaysia

Christianity in Malaysia is a minority religion practiced by 6.3% of the population (2000 census), most living in East Malaysia. The major Christian denominations in Malaysia include the Anglicans, Baptists, Brethrens, non-denominational churches, independent Charismatic churches, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics.

Hinduism in Malaysia

Approximately nine percent of the population of Malaysia are Tamil Indians, of whom close to 95 % are practicing Hindus.
Malaysian Hinduism is diverse, with large urban temples dedicated to specific deities, and smaller temples located on estates. The estate temples generally follow the tradition of the Indian region from which the temples' worshippers originate. Many people follow the Shaivite, or Saivite, tradition (worship of Shiva), of Southern India.
Shaivism is a devotionalist grace-based concept and emphasises love for the deity, rather than fear. Folk Hinduism is the most prevalent variety, including spiritualism and worship of local gods. Since the Second World War a revival of Hinduism has occurred among Indian Malaysians, with the foundation of organisations and councils to bring unity or to promote reform.

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