YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Singapore A Multi Racial Nation
On a recent visit to Singapore I could sense that Singaporeans take pride in the racial and religious tolerance enshrined in their constitution. The Chinese are the majority and follow Buddhism mixed with elements of Chinese folklore. Most Malays are Muslim. Indians are mostly Hindus while a smaller percentage are Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians. This interesting multicultural background is clearly evident as one strolls thorough the distinct old ethnic neighborhoods like Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam. See: The Passionate Traveler: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia
1. Little India
Flower Leis Little India
Hindu Temple
Buying Gold Jewelry in Little India
Wedding in Little India
2. China Town
Celebrating the Chinese New Year
Buddhist Temple
Interior of Buddhist Temple
Shopping in ChinaTown
3. ARAB STREET
Mosque on Arab Street
Muslim Girls outside Mosque on Arab Street
4. British Colonial 
Historic Raffles Hotel
British Colonial Home Convert to a Restaurant
Home of Henry N. Ridley, appointed the first Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1888
The British Colonial Legacy is most visible at the Raffles Hotel, named after Stamford Raffles the founder of modern Singapore. Raffles also developed a plan to remodel Singapore into a modern city. The plan created separate areas for ethnic groups and provided for roads, schools and government buildings.
Raffles also outlined a plan for the harbor that establish Singapore as a free port.
Singaporean cuisine also reflects its fascinating cultural diversity.
Experience the Prosperity Salad Toss to Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year 
Outdoor Food Courts
Dig a little deeper, however, you learn that Singapore’s ruling political party stays vigilant in its effort to maintain separation of religion and politics through strict legal means, because Islamic politics at its most extreme is based on the belief that Islam cannot bow to the authority of a non-Muslim secular society since it accepts no authority higher that that of God.
In a world threatened by religious terrorists we are all searching for ways to live in harmony with people of different faiths. In my historical novel, The Nine Inheritors: The Extraordinary Odyssey of a Family and Their Ancient Torah Scroll, Daniel Rosen, the eighth inheritor, declares that he cannot see an end to religious animosities in his lifetime:
“In Belfast, Bombay, Belgrade, and Baghdad, fanatic priests, tribal mullahs, and messianic rabbis will continue to incite suspicion and hatred, provoking others to kill in the name of their god and their creed.” National Identity and Religious Harmony—Secualrism the Singaporean Way.
Can Singapore overcome this problem? To date the ruling party has succeeded in maintaining an orderly society that promotes a strong national identity, stating that, “even though we belong to different races and worship different religions, let us feel instinctively that we are, first and foremost, Singaporeans.” Let us hope that this will continue to be the case!
Read my blog on modern Singapore, and additional blogs on our adventures in Indonesia, and Malaysia.
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