Article 3(1) of the Malaysian Federal Constitution states that “Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation”. It has long been misconstrued as a mere official declaration. As a matter of fact, it designates Islam as the religion of the nation. It goes right to the heart of the federation, her raison d‘etre. Continue readingThis paper examines the issue of the relationship between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Malaysian Federal Constitution. Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution specially singles out Islam as the religion of the Federation of Malaysia. This provision therefore, prima facie, conflicts with the provisions of the UDHR which require that people are not discriminated against on the basis of, among other grounds such as religion.