Outside of predominantly Muslim countries such as Indonesia and the Arabic states, Singapore is one of the best places for a Muslim to live.
Islam is one of the largest religions in the world but in some areas, the population of believers is often one of the smaller minority groups. Living in such areas can be a challenge because access to Muslim-friendly goods and services can be limited. Muslims follow a strict set of rules that govern their daily lives. From praying five times a day to only consuming food approved by religious authorities, there are many considerations in the practice of the Islamic faith.
About 15 percent of Singaporean residents identify as believers of Islam, and this has allowed for the island nation to be more Muslim-friendly. If you are a Muslim who has just moved to Singapore, here are four things that you should know about your new home country.
1. There Are Many Places for Worship
Although it is a very small country, Singapore has over 70 mosques or masjids. You can easily find the one nearest to you using a phone app like Muslim Pro. Having many places of worship available makes it easier to attend religious services regularly, especially when fulfilling Jum’ah or the congregational Friday prayer.
Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka at Keong Chow Street has been around since 1820 and is the oldest mosque in Singapore. The one most popular with tourists, however, is the majestic Masjid Sultan in Kampong Gelam. Its iconic golden domes and expansive prayer halls are truly awe-inspiring. You can make it a quest to visit and pray at each of the different mosques on the island.
There are also a good number of surau and musallah prayer rooms in the different quarters. This ensures that you can have a quiet and peaceful place to do your daily prayers even when you are not home. It also makes it easier for you to know the correct Qiblah or the direction of Mecca as the rooms are already oriented accordingly.
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