Wahhabism and the spread of the Islamic extremism in South East Asia

Islam in South East Asia Since the beginning has been mystical and moderate. Striking feature of the Muslims of the region in different periods of history and in contemporary times has been lack of prejudice towards people of other faiths and local beliefs and peaceful coexistence with them. Indeed, Islam in South East Asia has always been peaceful and smiling face. From the late 18th and early 19th centuries Wahhabi ideas were introduced to South East Asia Muslim. From this period, many scholars of the region have traveled to Mecca, Medina and Cairo to complete their education and in these educational centers became familiar with the Wahhabi Ulema. In the 20th century and after the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and creation of the training centers in South East Asia, Wahhabi influence on Muslims in the region increased. Wahhabi activities in this period in South East Asia have caused some Muslim to extremism and intolerance towards followers of other religions and faiths. In this article we will study how the arrival of Wahhabism in South East Asia and the share of Wahhabism in Muslim tendency for intolerance and extremism will be studied.