About Singapore

Snapshot of Singapore

The island nation of Singapore has four official languages – Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil. Chinese is the native language of almost 50% of the population, while another third of the population speak English as their native language. English is generally used in schools, business, and government. Singapore is a very religiously diverse nation – 33% of residents are Buddhist, 18% are Christian, 17% practice no religion, 15% are Muslim, 11% practice Taoism and about 5% are Hindu. Singapore has a large population of foreign-born citizens. Most people in Singapore live in high-rise apartments and have very small families, caused in part due to scarcity of land. Few people have their own vehicles, and most use public transportation. Singapore ranks among the world’s best education and healthcare systems. Singapore’s culture reflects a mix of Chinese, British, Malay, and Indian influences, with many public holidays celebrating the practices of different religious groups. Peranakan music is uniquely Singaporean, mixing English vocals with Malay-influenced folk music. Singapore has a strong theater community, and hosts the annual Singapore Arts Festival celebrating music, dance, art, and theater. However, the government does impose strict restrictions on arts and performances, often censoring different types of media. Soccer, basketball, rugby, and cricket are all popular sports in Singapore. Singaporean cuisine also reflects the country’s cultural diversity. A variety of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and western foods are available, and there are many dishes that mix these different types of foods. Tropical fruits such as durian, mangosteen, pineapple, and jackfruit are also popular.

Snapshot Malaysia (part of Singapore Mission)

Malaysian is the official language of Malaysia, however several indigenous languages are also present in the country and English is often used in business. About 60% of Malaysia’s population is Muslim; nearly 20% are Buddhist and not quite 10% are Christian. Despite Malaysia’s constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion, there are some religious restrictions in the country, especially restricting Muslims from converting to other religions. However, the main holiday of each of these religious groups are observed as national holidays in the country. Malaysian culture contains influences from indigenous cultures, Islam, China, and India. Traditional art includes basket weaving and fabrics such as batik and songket, and there are many drum-based folk music styles as well. Many of the folk music styles are used during celebrations or other important ceremonies. Soccer is Malaysia’s most popular sport, but badminton and field hockey are also popular. Rice, noodles, and Indian-style bread are all popular staples in Malaysia. Several types of meat are eaten in the country, but pork is avoided by Muslims and Hindus, and beef is not consumed by Hindus and some Buddhists. Sambal, a sauce made from shrimp paste, chili peppers, and other ingredients is commonly used in cooking Malay dishes. Variants of Chinese, Indian, and Nyonya cuisine are also regularly eaten among different ethnic groups within the country.

The Church

In Singapore there are currently 3,573 members with 11 congregations. The first missionaries entered the country in the late 1960′s and continue to preach and help with the progression of the Gospel.  There are 9,259 members with 33 congregations in Malaysia.  Missionaries were officially accepted into Malaysia in 1977.

Transportation

Singapore is known for its incredible public transit options.  Their subway system (SMRT) is very efficient and clean. It has destinations all over the island. Bus lines will offer the specific neighborhoods that the SMRT doesn’t reach.

Climate

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with great humidity. There is a monsoon season from November-January.

Additional Info

The mailing system in Singapore is safe and secure. Packages will arrive without being rifled through, but it will take a bit of time to travel overseas.