Southeast Asia is the most populous Islamic region in the world yet has gained only limited attention. This survey article tries to explain what are the specific characteristics of Islam in this world region. After a historical overview of the spread of Islam in insular Southeast Asia, its contemporary political contexts in Indonesia, Malaysia, South Thailand, and the Philippines are scrutinized. Finally, a number of contentious issues in Southeast Asian Islam are discussed, such as the nature of Islamic revivalism, current outbreaks of ethno-religious conflict, and the possible threat of extremism.
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