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Circulating Visions of ‘High Islam’: The Adoption of Fantasy Middle Eastern Architecture in Constructing Malaysian National Identity

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  • Sarah Moser

Abstract

This paper examines how growing conservatism among Muslims in Malaysia has been manifested in the architecture and urban design of Putrajaya, Malaysia’s new capital. Rather than drawing on vernacular design traditions or developing a design idiom that recognises a religiously and ethnically diverse population, the state has recently adopted a fantasy Middle Eastern style for secular national buildings in Putrajaya. In this paper, recent architectural change is examined as a manifestation of social, political and religious trends as well as a demonstration of how Putrajaya’s design can reinforce existing social hierarchies and legitimise the ideological agenda of the state. It is suggested that there are various reasons for the adoption of ‘High Islam’ that relate to broader transnational religious change, Malaysian identity politics and nation-building, and lingering influences of the colonial occupation.

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  • Sarah Moser, 2012. "Circulating Visions of ‘High Islam’: The Adoption of Fantasy Middle Eastern Architecture in Constructing Malaysian National Identity," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(13), pages 2913-2935, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:49:y:2012:i:13:p:2913-2935
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098012452453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julian C H Lee, 2009. "Mobilizing for Social Change in Muslim Societies Amidst Political Turmoil and Conservatism," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 52(2), pages 239-245, June.
    2. Beng‐Lan Goh & David Liauw, 2009. "Post‐colonial projects of a national culture," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 71-79, March.
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