Freedom of religion in Malaysia

While freedom of religion is de jure symbolically enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution, it de facto faces many prohibitions and restrictions. A Malay in Malaysia must strictly be a Muslim, and they cannot convert to another religion. Islamic religious practices are determined by official Sharia law, and Muslims can be fined by the state for not fasting or refusing to pray. The country does not consider itself a secular state and that Islam is the state religion of the country, and individuals with no religious affiliation (atheist, agnostic or other irreligious life stances) are viewed with hostility.

The Constitution states that Islam is the state religion of the country but that other religions are permitted. (Article 3). Article 11 of the Constitution provides the right to profess and to practice any religion, although subject to applicable laws restricting the propagation of other religions to Muslims.^[1][2] According to Freedom House, the country was scored 1 out of 4 for freedom of religion, with 1 being the worst and 4 being the best, in 2023.^[3]