page_title: Islam in Malaysia
section_title: Influences of Zheng He's voyages
hierarchical_section_title: Islam in Malaysia / History / Influences of Zheng He's voyages
caption_attribution_description: Azərbaycanca: İndoneziyanın poçt markası English: 600th Anniversary of Admiral Zheng He's Voyage. Stamps of Indonesia Русский: 600 лет путешествию адмирала Чжэн Хэ. Марка Индонезии 2005
context_page_description: Malaysia is a country whose most professed religion is Islam. As of 2013, there were approximately 19.5 million Muslim adherents, or 61.3% of the population.
  Islam in Malaysia is represented by the Shafi‘i version of Sunni theology and jurisprudence, while defining Malaysia constitutionally a secular state. Islam was introduced by traders arriving from Arabia, China and the Indian subcontinent. It became firmly established in the 15th century. In the Constitution of Malaysia, Islam is granted as the "religion of the Federation" to symbolize its importance to Malaysian society. However, other religions can be practiced freely. According to Pew Research, 18% of Malaysian Muslims are non-denominational Muslims whilst another 7% adhere to smaller branches.
  Various Islamic holidays such as Mawlid have been declared national holidays alongside Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali.
context_section_description: Zheng He is credited to have settled Chinese Muslim communities in Palembang and along the shores of Java, the Malay Peninsula, and the Philippines. These Muslims allegedly followed the Hanafi school in the Chinese language. This Chinese Muslim community was led by Hajji Yan Ying Yu, who urged his followers to assimilate and take local names.
caption: Stamps of Indonesia commemorating Zheng He's voyages to secure the maritime routes, usher urbanisation and assist in creating a common identity
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