Facts and Figures about

Buddhist - Muslim

Communities

in ASEAN

Association of Southeast

Asian Nation (ASEAN) Member Countries

In the course of their historical encounters across

Asia, Buddhism and Islam have engaged in interreligious

coexistence and interchange in Central, South, and

Southeast Asia. Islam and Buddhism first met in Sind

and Central Asia and since the 11th century onwards in

Southeast Asia.

Today, Islam and Buddhism make up the two

majority religions of Southeast Asia with 42% and 40%

populations respectively of the ASEAN community.

Southeast Asia is the only region of the world

today where Buddhism and Islam coexist in direct

religious, cultural and political contact.

The encounter between Islam and Buddhism is one

between a theist and a non-theist religion which is

impacted by their doctrinal differences and also their

acquired ethnic identities in Southeast Asia.

Brunei

Background : The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th

and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of

northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently

entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal

succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888,

Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984.

The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits

from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the

highest per capita GDPs in Asia.

Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and

Malaysia

Nationality : Bruneian

Ethnic groups:

Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.)

Languages : Malay, English, Chinese

Religions: Muslim 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other

(includes indigenous beliefs) 10%

Population: 415,717 (July 2013 est.)

Cambodia

Background:

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the

Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached

its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and

Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a

long period of decline. The king placed the country under French

protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887.

Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full

independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year

struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and

evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from

execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge

regime under Pol Pot. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the

Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese

occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris

Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which

was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in

1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition

government. In October 2004, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated the

throne and his son, Prince Norodom Sihamoni, was selected to succeed

him.

Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between

Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Nationality : Cambodian(s)

Ethnic groups : Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Languages : Khmer 95%, French, English

Religions : Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2%

(1998 census)

Population : 15,205,539 (July 2013 est.)

INDONESIA

Background:

The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; Japan

occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its

independence shortly before Japan's surrender, but it required four years

of sometimes brutal fighting, intermittent negotiations, and UN mediation

before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. A period

of sometimes unruly parliamentary democracy ended in 1957 when

President Soekarno declared martial law and instituted "Guided

Democracy." After an abortive coup in 1965 by alleged communist

sympathizers, Soekarno was gradually eased from power. From 1967 until

1988, President Suharto ruled Indonesia with his "New Order" government.

After rioting toppled Suharto in 1998, free and fair legislative elections

took place in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's third most populous

democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and the world's largest

Muslim-majority nation. Current issues include: alleviating poverty,

improving education, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after

four decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial

reforms, stemming corruption, reforming the criminal justice system,

holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations,

addressing climate change, and controlling infectious diseases, particularly

those of global and regional importance. In 2005, Indonesia reached a

historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, which led to

democratic elections in Aceh in December 2006. Indonesia continues to

face low intensity armed resistance in Papua by the separatist Free Papua

Movement.

Location : Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and

the Pacific Ocean

Nationality : Indonesian(s)

Ethnic groups : Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%,

Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other

or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census)

Languages : Bahasa Indonesia, English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the

most widely spoken is Javanese)

Religions : Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%,

other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census)

Population : 251,160,124 (July 2013 est.)

LAOS

Background:

Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang,

established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years

Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and

Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of

gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from

the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of

French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the

current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao

took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and

instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam.

A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of

foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of

ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013.

Location : Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Nationality : Lao or Laotian

Ethnic groups : Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other

(over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)

Languages : Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic Languages

Religions : Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and

unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)

Population : 6,695,166 (July 2013 est.)

MALAYSIA

Background:

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established

colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were

occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled

territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the

Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was

formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well

as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the

Federation. The first several years of the country's independence

were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with

Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in

1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister Mahathir bin

Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its

economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the

development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister

Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has

continued these pro-business policies and has introduced some civil

reforms. Yet, it is facing the challenge of integrating its ethno-

religious minorities at the national level.

Location :

Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-

third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the

South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Nationality: Malaysian

Ethnic groups :

Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others

7.8% (2004 est.)

Languages :

Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien,

Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

note: in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most

widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Religions :

Muslim (or Islam - official) 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%,

Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions

2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8% (2000 census)

Population:

29,628,392 (July 2013 est.)

Myanmar

Background: Various ethnic Burmese and ethnic minority city-states or

kingdoms occupied the present borders through the 19th century. Over a

period of 62 years (1824-1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated

the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province

of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; in

1948, Burma attained independence from the Commonwealth. Gen. Ne Win

dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then

as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. In response to

widespread civil unrest, NE WIN resigned in 1988, but within months the

military crushed student-led protests and took power. Multiparty

legislative elections in 1990 resulted in the main opposition party - the

National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory.

Instead of handing over power, the junta placed NLD leader (and Nobel

Peace Prize recipient) Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest from 1989 to

1995, 2000 to 2002, and from May 2003 to November 2010. Parliamentary

elections held in November 2010, saw the ruling Union Solidarity and

Development Party garner over 75% of the seats. Parliament convened in

January 2011 and selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as

president. Although the vast majority of national-level appointees named

by Thein Sein are former or current military officers, the government has

initiated a series of political and economic reforms leading to a substantial

opening of the long-isolated country. Most political parties have begun

building their institutions in preparation for the next round of general

elections in 2015. Myanmar is currently facing tensions between the

Buddhists and Muslims in the Arakan state. Location : Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay

of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Ethnic groups : Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese

3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%

Languages : Burmese (official)

note: minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Religions : Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%),

Muslim 4%, Animist 1%, other 2%

Population : 55,167,330 (July 2013 est.)

PHILIPPINES

Background:

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th

century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-

American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing

commonwealth. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986,

when a "people power" movement in Manila forced him into exile and

installed Corazon Aquino as president. Benigno Aquino III was elected

to a six-year term as president in May 2010. Manila has waged a

decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern

Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National

Liberation Front and ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic

Liberation Front.

Location : Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea

and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam.

Nationality :

noun: Filipino(s)

adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups :

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%,

Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000

census)

Languages :

Tagalog and eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano,

Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Religions:

Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%), Muslim 5%,

Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other

1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Population:

107,668,231 (July 2014 est.)

SINGAPORE

Background:

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the

Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and

became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the

world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading

links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage

handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations

of Western Europe.

Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Nationality:

noun: Singaporean(s)

adjective: Singapore

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Languages:

Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%,

Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%,

other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

Religions:

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%,

other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

Population:

5,460,302 (July 2013 est.)

THAILAND

Background:

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known

as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never

to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in

1932 led to a constitutional monarchy.

Thai Muslims are the largest religious minority, 44% of whom reside in

the deep south and the rest 56% live in different provinces of the

country.

There is an ethno-religious conflict going on in the deep south since

100 yrs.

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of

Thailand, southeast of Burma

Nationality:

noun: Thai (singular and plural)

adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups:

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Languages:

Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional

dialects

Religions:

Buddhist (official) 92%, Muslim 7%, Christian 0.6% and others. (2000

census)

Population:

67,497,151 (July 2013 est.)

VIETNAM

Background:

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed

by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared

independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until

its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi Minh. Under the

Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist

North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to

South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the

government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-

fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces

overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule.

However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation)

policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased

economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to

modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-

driven industries. The communist leaders, however, maintain control on

political expression and have resisted outside calls to improve human

rights.

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and

South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia

Nationality:

noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)

adjective: Vietnamese

Ethnic groups:

Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.5%, Mong

1.2%, Nung 1.1%, others 5.3% (1999 census)

Languages:

Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second

language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages

(Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Religions:

Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant

0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)

Population:

92,477,857 (July 2013 est.)