Religion, language and nation: some issues on nationhood in Malaysia

Abstract

The relationship between religion, language and nation completes each other in close association. In Malaysia, the symbiosis between Islam and Malay language has influenced the present development of Malay language and Malay nation. The relationship between religion, language and nation in sociology framework shows the importance of Islam as a religion and also the importance of Malay language as a medium in solidarity of Malay society. In ethnical multi-religion level, Malay language as formal language is used as a medium in the building of Malaysian nationhood. However, in certain complex situation, this relationship could pose as a threat to nation building when religion is linked to the narrow issues in politics, languange and culture.