Summary

"Malaysia, a Muslim-majority state in Southeast Asia, has had a long history of relations with other Muslim communities since the days of the Malacca Sultanate. Embracing the emergence of the global ummah, Malaysia has conscientiously cultivated relations with her Muslim neighbors and friends from around the world. Linkages in economy and politics are robust and gaining strength. Malaysia has tried to play a number of roles in trying to enhance the global Muslim community by not only championing critical issues confronting the Islamic world, but also by promoting cordial relations with this large group of states. Malaysia's chairmanship of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in October 2003 is seen as recognition of the country's leadership role within the Muslim world. This volume is an exploration of the manifold facets of relations between Malaysia and other Muslim polities, the Middle Eastern states, in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. These original essays range from an examination of Islamic principles in international relations to a study of Malaysian foreign policy, the functions and structuring of the OIC, Malaysia's multidimensional relations with Turkey, the Arab world, Iran, and ties with Muslim minority communities in Southeast Asia and America."