The Shariah Index’s Continued Influence on Malaysian Society

9/20/2024 Malaysia (International Christian Concern) — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia’s (JAKIM) recent proposal for mandatory halal certification for establishments that do not serve pork or alcohol has sparked considerable debate — and it points to a larger societal issue.  A significant underlying factor in this policy development is the Shariah Index, which was introduced in 2015. This index evaluates Malaysia’s adherence to Islamic principles across various sectors, including