The Islamic Dimension in The National Identity of The Malay Language

The spread of Islam in the Malay Archipelago has a significant impact on social change and the development of the Malay language, which is one of the languages spoken in the archipelago at this time. It is a global language that plays a major role in the spread of Islam in Malaysia and the neighboring countries of the archipelago. As for the Arabic language and the Malay language, they have the same position in linguistic communication. As this presence in language contact provides a balance between the two languages; which leads to exchange and interaction between them; As for the linguistic identity, it also has a role in uniting the different ethnicities in Malaysia through the Malay language. This study will follow the descriptive and analytical approach. The study aims to clarify the concept of national identity and its connection with the spirit of belonging, with the characteristics and features that it represents that distinguish Malaysians from their different ethnicities from other neighboring countries. Therefore, Malaysians show their personal characteristics as Malaysian citizens, to reflect the civilized image of Malaysia. In addition, this paper shows the influence of Islam on the development of the Malay language and the influence of the Islamic dimension from several aspects, including writing, translation, education, and borrowed Arabic vocabulary in the Malay language in the religious aspect. This made the Malay language carry Islamic dimensions in it, which led to a change in the Malaysian people's view of life and helped to unify them through the national identity from the linguistic side according to the Islamic point of view.