Malay Muslims : the history and challenge of resurgent Islam in Southeast Asia / Robert Day McAmis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McAmis, Robert Day.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islam--Southeast Asia--History.

Islam.

Muslims--Malay Archipelago--History.

Muslims.

Malays (Asian people)--Religion--History.

Malays (Asian people).

Islam--Relations--Christianity.

Relations.

Christianity.

Christianity and other religions--Islam.

Christianity and other religions.

Malays (Asian people)--Religion.

History.

Southeast Asia.

Physical Description:

xii, 173 pages : map ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Grand Rapids, Mich. : W.B. Eerdmans Pub., [2002]

Summary:

Recently there has been keen interest in Islam from the non-Muslim world as well as a push for improved Muslim-Christian relations. This timely book makes an important contribution on both of these fronts by telling the story of Islam in Southeast Asia -- a region of the world now drawing increased international attention. Although Muslims of the Malay race are the largest ethnic community of Muslims in the world, they are little known in the Western hemisphere. Writing as an American Christian missionary who lived among Malay Muslims in the Philippines for over forty years, Robert Day McAmis provides the first comprehensive look at Malay Muslims, describing their history, practices, influence, and distinctive customs. McAmis also gives attention to the history of their relationship with Christians -- a history that is key to understanding the current state of religious and social life in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Since Muslims and Christians together comprise ninety-four percent of the Malay population, peaceful interaction and cooperation between mosque and church are crucial to realizing the economic and political goals of the entire region. Considering the so-called "Islamic resurgence" of the last few decades, McAmis pleads for dialogue and mutual understanding. Islam is not monolithic, he says, and Muslims are not the enemies of Christians. Malay Muslims in particular, with their diverse traditions and rich history of international relations, are open to outside influence and exchange. McAmis concludes that "the future of Malay Southeast Asia is bright indeed if Muslims and Christians of goodwill work together to solve the problems of this area."

Contents:

A. Overview of the Muslim World Today 1

B. The Malays of Southeast Asia 3

C. The Island World of Southeast Asia 5

2. A History of Malay Islam 7

A. Pre-Islamic Influence in the Islands 7

B. Early Islamic Influence 10

C. Islamic Influence After the Thirteenth Century 12

D. Sufi Influence Among the Malays 17

E. Islam Reaches the Philippines 18

F. Summary of the Penetration of Islam into Southeast Asia 24

3. A History of Relations Between Islam and the Western Church in Malay Southeast Asia 27

A. Contacts Between Islam and the Western Church 27

B. Western European Christians Arrive in Malay Southeast Asia 28

C. The Portuguese Arrive in Malay Southeast Asia 29

D. Sailing West Across the Pacific Ocean, the Spanish Reach Malay Southeast Asia 32

E. The Protestant Dutch Replace the Roman Catholic Portuguese in the East Indies 35

F. The British Gain Control of the Malay Peninsula 37

4. Traditions, Beliefs, and Practices of Malay Muslims 41

A. What Is Islam? 41

B. Indonesian Islam 44

C. Javanese Islam 47

D. Malaysian Islam 50

E. Bornean Islam 51

F. Philippine Islam 53

G. The Role of Adat in Malay Islam 62

H. The Role of Sufism in Malay Islam 63

I. The Role of Education Among Malay Muslims 65

J. Distinctive Beliefs and Practices Among Malay Muslims 66

5. Islamic Resurgence Among Malay Muslims 71

A. Global View of Islamic Resurgence 71

B. Islamic Resurgence in Indonesia 74

C. Islamic Resurgence in Malaysia 79

D. Islamic Resurgence in the Philippines 90

6. The Role of the Church and Islam in Malay Southeast Asia in the Twenty-First Century 103

A. Prospects for Christian-Muslim Relations Among the Malays 103

B. Christian Mission and Islamic Da'wa 106

C. Christian-Muslim Dialogue Among the Malays 110

1. Dialogue in General 110

2. Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Indonesia 114

3. Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Malaysia 115

4. Christian-Muslim Dialogue in the Philippines 117

D. A Malaysian Christian Response 121.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 123-164) and index.

ISBN:

0802849458

OCLC:

49285472