Malays in Singapore

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Malays in Singapore constitute 13.9% of the country's population.

1 Origin and identity
2 Religion
3 Culture
4 Status of Malays in Singapore
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Origin and identity

The Malays in Singapore are generally of mixed descent. The local Malays, originally of aboriginal Orang Laut and other coastal Malay groups, have intermarried with non-Malays, many of whom are of non-Malay stock. Intermarriages prior to the British colonial period are largely restricted to people of Malay stock, notably the Javanese, Boyanese, Minangkabau and Bugis, as well as some Chinese and Indian traders. Such intermarriages are being more widely practised during and after the British colonial times, and intermarriages are extended to Arab traders, and to a much lesser extent, Europeans and Thai. Of late, some Malays may take in Filipino spouses due in part to racial proximity.

Such intermarriages are made possible in two main ways: First, marrying a Malay individual, regardless of sex and age, requires the bride or groom to convert to Islam. Second, the Malays stress on religious to racial affiliation between individuals.

Modern Malay Singaporeans strongly identify with their Malay ancestry, and tend to abhor whatever other ancestry the individual himself may have. This is evidenced in their speech, customs, language, and self-identity, although Malays may incorporate elements of foreign culture into Malay culture, especially Arab and Indian. It is understood that nearly all Malays, in addition to English, learn the Riau variant of Malay as their mother tongue and some Arabic during their Islamic religious classes.

[edit] Religion

Virtually all Malays in Singapore are Muslims, and strictly adhere to Islamic principles. Conversion from Islam is technically difficult through social and official aspects. In spite of restrictions, a small community of Christian Malays exist in Singapore.

In response, the government has strongly discouraged the publication of the Christian bible in Malay, and strongly discourages missionaries to attempt to convert the local Malay populace. Such missionaries are especially concentrated on more unorthodox Protestant sects, notably Charismatic and Baptist, who are noted for their zealous attempts to convert non-Christians.

Malay Muslim men would attend Friday prayers at the communal mosque every week and Malay Muslims observe Ramadan yearly, which is to fast during daytime on a daily basis, one month before Hari Raya Puasa.

[edit] Culture

The Malays in Singapore share a same culture with those in Peninsula Malaysia, being much more deeply rooted in Islamic traditions as compared to other ethnic groups of Malayan stock from Indonesia and East Malaysia.

[edit] Status of Malays in Singapore

Malays in Singapore are generally of mixed descent, but are recognised as indigenous people of Singapore by the Singapore Constitution, Part XIII, General Provisions, Minorities and special position of Malays, section 152:

The Government shall exercise its functions in such manner as to recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the indigenous people of Singapore, and accordingly it shall be the responsibility of the Government to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educational, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay language.