Singapore

Singapore is a Southeast Asian island country south of the Malay peninsula of Malaysia and north of Indonesia. Historically a commercial hub for Malays, South Asian, Chinese, and later British merchants, Singapore reflects a long tradition of transnational economic, political, and especially religious activities. One clear example of its diversity is in its name. The name Singapore was inherited from the indigenous Malay Singapura (“City of the Lion”) and is derived from the Sanskrit simhapura, which was a town in the Indian epic the Mahābhārata. Singapore continues to promote its Malay heritage as well as its historically diverse immigration. This section will cover briefly the historical development of Singapore's nation-state and the religious practices of Singapore's dominant ethnic groups.

The indigenous people of Singapore are the Malay Orang Laut (“Sea People”), who experienced early and frequent maritime contacts with South Asian Hindus and Buddhists. By the seventh century, Singapore was under the political jurisdiction of the Malay Buddhist kingdom of Śrīvijaya. The Śrīvijaya thalassocracy controlled the majority of the Southeast Asian region, which included Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo and stretched as far as the northern Philippines. During this time, many Malays practiced a form of Tantric Śaivism, worshipping deities such as Kala and Durga. As early as the 16th century, Singapore's population began to convert to Islam along with many other kingdoms in the archipelago. The country later became an international center for Malay literature and generated a healthy amount of translations of Arabic and Persian romances and legends.

In 1819, the British Admiral Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles established a trading post in Singapore, converting the island into an international commercial hub. As with most British expeditions at the time, Raffles's commercial interests were inextricably linked with colonial expansion. Singapore, along with the current states of Malaysia and Burma, became part of the British colonial empire. Singapore's geographic location became a crucial military advantage for the British Empire. The British presence destabilized Singapore's power structures and allowed Chinese immigrants to find a strong and dominant place in Singaporean society. The British occupied Singapore until World War II, when they lost it to the Japanese. The Japanese exercised brutal measures on Singaporeans. One of the islands closest to Singapore Pulau Blakang Mati (“Island of Death From Behind”) received its name from its use by the Japanese for torturing and killing Chinese suspects. Today, it is called Sentosa, Singapore's internationally popular island resort.

The British regained control of Singapore in 1945 and held on to power until 1963, when Singapore gained independence. After a failed attempt to join with Malaysia and other neighboring countries, Singapore established itself as an independent Southeast Asian state in 1965. From 1959 to 1990, Singapore rose in economic power, mostly due to the policies and guidance of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Due to his efforts, Singapore joined South Korea and Japan as one of the tiger economies of Asia.

The Singaporean government prides itself on its religious diversity and promotes religious holidays [Page 1182]for its Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist citizens. In its tourism packages and nationalistic pamphlets, religious pluralism is a method of promoting Singapore's status as a fully modernized and developed country. The largest Islamic festival in Singapore is Hari Raya Puasa (“Fasting Day of Celebration”), which is celebrated throughout Singapore, especially at the Malay Heritage Centre in downtown Singapore. Deepavali is the corresponding Hindu festival, and the focus of the celebration is in a quadrant of the city called Little India. One of the wealthiest areas in Singapore is Orchard Road, which sponsors the annual Christmas promotions and celebrations. Other festivals such as the Chinese New Year and the Buddhist Vesak Day are national holidays in Singapore and testify to the active and diverse religious population. While Singaporeans widely celebrate and acknowledge these diverse religious practices, religious communities such as the Hindus complain that there is more performance than practice of tolerance.

...