Malaysian Islamic Party

The Malaysian Islamic Party, commonly called PAS, is a political party that advocates an Islamic role in Malaysian government and public life.

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Malayan Islamic Party: The name used by PAS when it was founded in 1951, before the formation of Malaysia. PAS began under this name in British Malaya.
Islamism: A range of political ideas that seek to give Islam a role in public institutions and government. PAS belongs to a broader movement seeking political expression for Islam.
Abdul Hadi Awang: A Malaysian Islamic scholar and politician who has led PAS since 2002. His leadership has shaped PAS’s contemporary direction and political strategy.
Kelantan: A state in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia where PAS has governed for much of the period since 1990. Kelantan is the clearest long-running example of PAS exercising state power.
Democratic Action Party: A Malaysian social-democratic political party known for its secular and multiracial platform. The party’s secular outlook has repeatedly clashed with PAS’s Islam-centered proposals.
Federation of Malaya: A federation of Malay states that became independent from Britain in 1957. PAS’s early electoral politics unfolded in the Federation of Malaya.
Sharia: Islamic religious and ethical principles that inform worship, personal conduct, and legal interpretation. PAS’s policy proposals often concern the place of Sharia in Malaysian law.
Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat: A PAS cleric and politician who served as chief minister of Kelantan from 1990 to 2013. His leadership gave PAS a prominent example of governing at state level.
Terengganu: A state on Malaysia’s east coast that has had PAS-led state governments in several periods. PAS has used Terengganu governments to pursue and test its state-level agenda.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat: A Malaysian multiracial political party founded in 1999 and commonly known as PKR. PKR has been a coalition partner despite differing priorities on religion and governance.