The Role of Islamic Movements in Enhancing Daʿwah Work: The Malaysian Experience

Daʿwah work was one of the main means that helped spread Islam throughoutthe Malay Archipelago. The advent of Islamic resurgence in 1970s that came along withthe emergence of influential Islamic movements had transformed the daʿwah work tobecome more sophisticated. This paper attempts at understanding the relationship betweenthe traditional daʿwah work and the Islamic movements in Malaysia before looking indepthat the development of Islamic movements in establishing and improving daʿwahmethodology and institutions. Findings reveal that the Islamic movements played a verysignificant role in reforming daʿwah work. They had introduced an alternative system indaʿwah work that had been manifested either in their own private institutions or throughadvocacy of daʿwah work policies as well as in its implementation within the existingdaʿwah work. The findings also prove that the differences in political ideology werenot a major obstacle for them in developing daʿwah work in the country. In conclusion,despite the varied understanding and approach of Islamic movements, their contribution indeveloping the nation through daʿwah work is significant. Overall, the Islamic movements now have to improve the quality of their daʿwah work and learning process in order to facecurrent challenges and obstacles.