Part 6/16:
The 2015 survey by Merdeka Center revealed that most Malay respondents identified primarily as Muslim, reinforcing Islam’s role as an identity marker. This emphasis influences public policy, societal norms, and even educational choices, with the proliferation of Islamic schools and madrasas expanding rapidly to meet rising demand. The number of Muslim youth attending religious schools increased significantly, from 48% in 2010 to over 60% in recent years.