An Investigation of the role of Shiism in the Entrance and Diffusion of Islam in Southeast Asia

During the recent years, we have seen an aggravation of entanglements between the Shiites and Sunnites in various regions of the world, including some of the Islamic countries in southeast Asia such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Some of the fanatic religious groups have attempted to remove and marginalize the Shiite minority in the region, claiming that Shiism is an emergent and strange phenomenon in the region and that Shiism has had no role in the process of Islamization and Islamic culture and civilization in the southeast Asia. On the other hand, in spite of many manipulations for obliteration or alteration of historical sources regarding the role of Shiism in the region, it has had - according to undeniable historical evidences available now – an important role in introduction and diffusion of Islam as well as Islamic culture and civilization in the region. This article has attempted to investigate various theories regarding the origin of introduction and diffusion of Islam in southeast Asia, and deals with the role of Shiism in four hypotheses on its origin as Arabic, Indian, Iranian and Chinese. It also deals with some cultural and religious effects of Shiism in that region.