In the noble effort to elevate Bahasa Melayu as the core of national identity, a topic frequently discussed among language enthusiasts is the level of mastery and fluency of the national language among multi-ethnic communities.
Most narratives typically focus on daily communication, the corporate sector, or administrative affairs.
However, from a sociolinguistic perspective, there is a dimension that is rarely explored deeply but carries significant influence over language assimilation: the use of the national language within the religious and cultural expressions of non-Muslim communities.
On one hand, there are high expectations for all citizens to anchor their lives around Bahasa Melayu. On the other, when touching upon the spiritual realm, a more complex dynamic emerges.
