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.
3. Singaporeans Speak Many Languages
As a melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other cultures, it is common to hear people conversing in many different languages. It can be helpful to learn basic Mandarin Chinese phrases to help you negotiate purchases or ask for directions. Other languages you may hear include Cantonese, Malay, and Tamil.
If you don’t know any other languages, most people will understand if you speak to them in English. Schools and offices also mainly use the English language in their communications. However, you may notice that there are foreign words that still get mixed in. Singapore English or Singlish is what many Singaporeans use in their daily lives. It is still mostly English but with loaned words from as many as four different languages. It can be confusing to hear for newcomers but as you imbibe the uniqueness of Singaporean culture and engage with the locals, you’ll soon be fluent in Singlish yourself.
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