Study On Islamic Factors In Nation-building Of Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is an important region of the contemporary Islam world. Islam profoundly changed the distribution pattern of religion in Southeast Asia and had a widespread and far-reaching influence on the regional politics, economy, laws and culture since its introduction into this region in13th century. Since modern times, the Islamic factor played an important role in the political process, economic development and social life of major Islamic countries in Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia and Malaysia. In terms of nation-building, Islam factor is both playing a positive role and having negative effects. In positive aspects, Islam played a significant function in promoting the political democratization, improving economic development, building multiculture and shaping national values, and even it is possible to create a new model of development in Muslim countries; In negative aspects, by the effect of world Islamic revival trend and the influence of globalization, the Southeast Asia Islamic extremism has developed rapidly in the past two decades, resulting in a serious threat to the political and economic stability in Southeast Asian countries. Because of the dissatisfaction with the international political and economic order dominated by the west and the fight against terrorism carried out by the United States in the Islamic world, there is an anti-American and anti-Western sentiment among the vast majority of Muslims in Southeast Asia, restricting Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries to carry out external relations.This paper focuses on the Islamic factor in the process of nation-building of Southeast Asia and takes Indonesia and Malaysia as the main research object. In general, this paper describes the early spread of Islam and the social impact on Southeast Asian island region, illustrates the Islamic positive and negative influence on the nation-building process of Indonesia and Malaysia, and discusses the factors restricting the construction of a harmonious relationship between Islam and national development. This paper attempts to provide enlightenment for relevant countries dealing with the relationship between religion and social development.