DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2789-6919/46/26-31
Kamala Sofiyeva
Baku State University
PhD in History
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4902-5722
kemalesofiyeva@gmail.com
On Muslim Community of Singapore
Abstract
The paper is dedicated to the status of the Muslim community in Singapore. It states that the Republic of Singapore, located in the “heart of the Malay world,” is a country with a multiethnic and multireligious population. Singapore is secular republic, there is no state or official religion, all groups have to have tolerance position. The constitution proclaims freedom of religion and religious expression, as well as equality of all recognized religions.
In Singaporean society, the muslim community constitutes a compact minority, relatively homogeneous in its predominantly Malay ethno-national composition. Nevertheless, this ethno-religious Malay minority occupies a significant place in the socio-political sphere. There are many local and international Islamic organizations in Singapore. State maintain semi relations with muslim society through Singapore Ulema Union (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura – MUIS). Thanks this body state control muslim society. There are 75 mosques.
The paper mentioned muslims of Singapore being minority here demonstrate balance between Islam and Singapore identity.
Keywords: Southeast Asia, Singapore, Islam, Malay muslims, muslim community