How was Indonesia and Malaysia introduced to the religion of Islam?

Answer 1

Not sure of how the religion was first introduced, but these links may help you a little bit. My guess would be in agreement with Brendon, that traders were the first Muslims in these two countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Malaysia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Indonesia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_spread_of_Islam_in_Indonesia_%281200_to_1600%29

Answer 2

Can't believe the rubbish answers here....

Anyways, here it goes:
The Sultan of Melaka converted to Islam after meeting an Arab clergyman. From that moment on it all snowballed in Malaysia. It was a good thing cos it meant peace and less killing and tribal wars. The Arab clergyman was in fact looking for another place in the region. He was sent there by Muhamad only knowing the name of the place. He couldn't find it but stayed in Melaka for a while. He then went on to Java Indonesia and converted people there. This was around 1550. The place he was actually looking for was on Sumatra.
There is also a story about 2 Arab brothers who during the same time came to the area and especially Java.
The history of Malaya is best described in the 'Malay annals', there are a few english translation, but very hard to find.
It is always a mixture of fact and myth, but it is possible to shift one from the other. Beautiful stories, I suggest looking into it.

Answer 3

By force, probably, the way Christianity was exported to the Americas, especially by the Spaniards..

Answer 4

Quite effectively, it seems, given the predominance of Islam in those countries.

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Answer 5

Muslims went there

Answer 6

By Muslim pirates and traders.

Answer 7

Arab merchant sailors.