Religion in Southeast Asia (Essay Sample)

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Religion in Southeast Asia
The introduction of Islam in Southeast Asia is debatable, but the impact of the religion on culture and geopolitics of the region is apparent. This makes religion the single factor that has influenced the region for at least six centuries. The process of conversion incorporated most pre-Islamic traditions and cultures and therefore localized the religion. The natives were attracted to wealth and powers of the Islamic traders hence influencing leaders to convert to be associated with powerful Islamic emperors in India and the Arab world. Moreover, the wealth and power of the alternative religion made them seem superior to their native religion, hence attracted to convert. The Southeast Asians intensively interacted with other traders, but their belief in spirit limited their ability to practice their religion outside their home area. Therefore, the dynamism of Islam offered a solution to their problem because it was not tied to particular places. In countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, the majority of the population are Muslims, while, for the case of Philippines, more than 90 percent of the population is Christian. The Arab traders introduced Arabic and replaced the native dialect permanently affecting the linguistic of the region. The impact of religion on Southeast Asia is severe such that religion has a significant role in national politics. There has been a dilemma over the role of Islam in some countries with some giving it a central role in governance. Moreover, some countries are making adjustments while others are contemplating giving more roles to religion. The capture of Mecca by the Wahhabis was followed by insistence on strict adherence to Islamic law, the localization ...