The personality of Shah Alam as the Islamic city is all important here, with the blue-domed Sultan Salahudin Abdul Aziz mosque towering over all as a reminder.

NONE The two candidates for the parliamentary seat are a reflection of Islam’s role in the largely conservative state capital, with PAS’ Khalid Samad ( centre, in photo ) representing progressive Islam as opposed to BN direct candidate Zulkifli Noordin’s firebrand hardline Islam.

It would seem the formula to winning Shah Alam ’s Malay voters, who comprise 69 percent of the voters, is to "out-Islam" each other in the Islamic city.

For Khalid, known affectionately as Haji when he is met by constituents at mosques around Shah Alam, Islam transcends racial boundaries.

“The inability of Umno to separate Islam and Malay results in a confused picture for Malay voters,” he said en route to isya’ prayers in Batu Tiga in Shah Alam.

No matter the mosque he attends, the PAS incumbent receives a position of respect in the centre of the first row, frequently right behind the imam leading the prayers.

On BN’s side, Zulkifli has made much of his Islamic credentials, having championed the cause of conservatism when he opposed Khalid’s moderate stance over the use of the word ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims in 2010.

Joining devout Muslim constituents for prayers is an effective way for Zulkifli to maximise the Malay vote, with BN Kota Anggerik state candidate Ustaz Yusof Din frequently accompanying him.

NONE In neighbouring Indian-heavy Kota Raja , BN candidate and MIC secretary-general S Murugesan faces an uphill battle against Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar as well as popular PAS incumbent Dr Siti Mariah, who won by a massive 32.6 percent majority in 2008.

BN posters in the hotseat, which geographically includes part of Shah Alam, focus less on Murugesan, highlighting instead caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who still maintains his popularity among the Indians.

“Vote for the prime minister,” urge the posters strewn all over Kota Raja.

The high profile of Shah Alam in this election comes from the crucial thrust by Najib, who is also Selangor BN chairperson, in recapturing the state.

- The Malay Mail