The Tuareg people (despite being predominantly Muslims) have a culture where men veil their faces, while women do not

[u/medievalpeasant_]

[u/raamu_thegreat]

People forget that culture and religion are two different things.

[u/TurbistoMasturbisto → u/raamu_thegreat]

That’s true but religion is a big part of a culture and influences it a lot.

[u/makemestand → u/TurbistoMasturbisto]

People in Asia share same religions with other parts of the world but our cultures are totally different. In fact, cultures between countries within Asia are totally different even if people share same religion.

[u/NotTooShahby → u/makemestand]

Not Malaysia. It’s considered a Muslim country and my girlfriend’s family (Malaysian) ostracized her for leaving Islam, calling her a kafir. That was when I discovered how radical the country can be. I have friends who were sent to reeducation centers for considering leaving Islam. Apostasy is punishable by death (although not actually enforced it’s more a fine), Muslims women can’t marry non-Muslims (despite the alternative being okay), women aren’t allowed to be around non-Marams. A big controversy is how much Islam replaced local cultural customs.

Different religions have different effects. Buddhism seems to be able to integrate even into folk religions, Islam is at the other end of the spectrum, Christianity is close to Islam but not quite as intense when it comes to affecting cultures.

Malaysia looks like an America that let MAGA takeover. The malay population have special rights and privileges, and make up the same portion of the country as white non-hispanic people do in America. The Malay population is also 99% muslim so religion and ethnicity are intertwined.

source: Involved in South-East Asia for family and business.

[u/mt-vicory42069 → u/NotTooShahby]

tbh to add a bit of detail. the reason why muslim women can't marry non muslims, it is about the upbringing of children. the kids grow up with the religion of the head of the house. as for muslim men they can't marry outside abrahamic religions.

[u/Kulkasbiru → u/NotTooShahby]

Some Malaysians in internet (mostly thread and twitter) calls their neighboring country "tak bertamadun" for letting Muslim change religion freely, when we ask "are supposed to punish them?" They said we have anger issue

[u/Inagreen → u/NotTooShahby]

Malaysia is NOT a Muslim country. It is a secular country, with Muslim majority. I’m not sure where exactly your gf family is from, but that is absolutely not the norm. I have loads of Malay friends who are Muslim and completely don’t share the same beliefs and families who are much more liberal and relaxed. Kelantan, which is one of the north east states are extremely conservative whereas other parts especially the capital KL is much more relaxed. Source: grew up there, have family members who are gay and Muslim and family completely embrace him. Also have other friends in similar breadth.

[u/Inagreen → u/[deleted]]

Are you just spewing rubbish now? Where do you find Malays making up 70% of the country? Last I check it’s about 58% lol! Malay is an ethnicity whereas Malaysian is the nationality of the country so saying Malaysia is 70% Malaysian makes absolutely no sense. Also calling it ethonostate proves you have no idea what you’re talking about. Non malays are full citizens!

Having shariah law for Muslims does not make a country Muslim by any standards, it means that said law is only applicable to Muslims. The country is literally secular. It means the federal constitution is the supreme law of the land and takes precedence over shariah law. Also shariah only applies to personal and family matters for Muslims ONLY. All non Muslims are under jurisdiction of civil law.

How many times have you been to Malaysia? You’re not even from there and made a judgement based on your limited time and interaction to tar the same brush across millions that live varied lifestyles (look at Sabah and Sarawak for example with massive Christians and indigenous populations). The only takeaway I can get is that you’re trying to project your prejudices to all Muslim populations by likening all Southeast Asian Muslims to those in Middle East. Thing is Malay lifestyle history and culture are completely different and your desperation to stereotype millions into a single group is showing.