Leadership is a key function and process to unlock the effectiveness and enhancement of any organization’s development, including Religious-NGOs (RNGOs). This can be attained via three main characteristics, which are charismatic, transformational and servant leadership. Previous research has proved that these characteristics are relevant for NGOs, but little was found for RNGOs. RNGO is a form of NGO that is well-known for its active role in contributing to a harmonious and religious society. This paper focused on the concept of leadership in RNGOs and an introductory to the identity of Malaysian Islamic RNGOs that are diverse by ethnic identities. This study was qualitative in nature and depended heavily on existing literature and official reports. The study found that all three selected Islamic RNGOs that represent the Malay Muslims, Chinese Muslims and Indian Muslims adopt and practice charismatic, transformational and servant leadership in executing their organizations’ objectives, which could possibly be a yardstick to effective RNGO leadership development in the future.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the characteristics of servant leadership (SL) from Western and Islamic perspectives, and analyse those characteristics in Malaysian Daʿwah NGOs. Currently many Da’wah NGOs in Malaysia are said not to prioritize leadership characteristics in leading and serving the as well as the public interest. Characteristics are important to any organization, and they influence the way a leader leads its organization and staff by exercising specific leadership behaviour in response to a situation. Unlike other leadership styles that are organization-centric, this paper serves to explain the people or follower-centric characteristics of servant leadership through the combination of motivational approaches (MA) and voluntary actions (VA) in Malaysian Daʿwah NGOs – ABIM and IKRAM. The data from this qualitative research are collected from five main resources including media coverage, official reports, official websites, NGOs programs and public opinion. The data are analysed thematically based on the similarities and differences characteristics of SL between Western and Islamic perspectives. The findings revealed that servant leadership from Western and Islamic perspectives share some similar dimensions of characteristics in practice; however, Western SL characteristic does not draw attention to the religious perspective as underlined in Islam.

A leadership style that meets the interests thus ensures the sustainable development of humanity would be a key factor in the current disruptive world. Leadership in Islam prioritizes human values and that becomes a founding principle as stated in the Qur’an and the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Using a descriptive method from previous studies, this study found that three issues would make the country a failed state. Prior to that, a leadership that values humanity is identified as a new approach that deserves attention as it was shown successfully through the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Such approaches were proven in the following events: 1) to make peace between communities; 2) recognizing the right to life and prohibiting murder; 3) no coercion in religion and social problems; and 4) da’wah activities which are inviting to goodness and forbidding evils. This study concludes that humane leadership that incorporates with fundamental principles of Islam while upholding the universal values of humanity should lead a new narrative in the current disruptive world.