Finally, a t-shirt slogan that makes sense. A lot of sense, in my world anyway:
A river cruise to start the day, showcasing some of the best sights in Singapore:
Ports were important in days gone by, when sea was the main method of transportation. So it’s not surprising that strategic ports prospered. Enter Singapore – a key stop between East and West, trading seafood and spices. And it’s not difficult to imagine its quay bustling with ships and traders. It’s south bank curves like a carp which is auspicious in eastern culture, so the first immigrants believed it was where prosperity and wealth could be found. Despite development the facades have been retained, the higgeldy-piggeldy rooftops are a reminder that house height used to indicate wealth. Perhaps it still does..? Nowadays it’s a trendy dining and drinking spot:
Fort Canning’s colourful exterior “reflects the city’s multicultural heritage”, although it acted as a torture chamber during WWII; at one time the police station and secure jail, it was once considered a skyscraper and was made a national monument in 1998:
The Merlion is a lion’s head on a fish’s body upon rolling waves and is the emblem of Singapore:
Nearby is the impressive financial centre:
And I rather like the helix bridge, symbolizing health, wealth and prosperity:
Does this look familiar?:
It’s the Singapore flyer, surely modeled on the very successful London Eye, although a little bigger at 165m..?
Back on dry land, I turned a corner and had a pleasant surprise, so a much-enjoyed lunch at an old favourite from my US, and then university, days:
Through Chinatown:
… before heading to Little India and this mosque:
After numerous failed attempts at entering a mosque (they usually have unusual opening hours due to prayer times), I finally made it in and met a lovely man who seemed more than happy to answer all my questions. How much do you know about Islam? Here’s an introduction:
- “Islam” is Arabic for “submitting and surrendering one’s will to Almighty God” (Allah)
- A prophet is someone to whom God revealed the “Ultimate Truth”
- Muslims believe in Jesus, but as another prophet (like Noah, Abraham and Moses) rather than the “Son of God” (Christian belief)
- Over 80% of the world’s Muslims are *not* Arabic
The five pillars of Islam:
- to testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
- to pray five times a day
- to pay zakaah (2.5% tax on income and property to help the poor)
- to fast during the month of Ramadan
- to perform Haji (pilgrimage) t0 the House of Allah, if you have the means
Prayer ritual:
- Ablution involves cleaning the face, hands and feet before entering the mosque, as a sign of respect
- Each prayer session lasts 10 to 15 minutes
- Prayer sessions are at set times of the day, but it gradually rotates – the times were up on a board near the men’s ablution area
- There’s no set process for praying – you freestyle
Religious text
- As God’s messenger, Muhammad received revelations from God over a period of 23 years (from the age of 40 until his death)
- These revelations are known as the Qur’an (equivalent to the Christian Bible)
- Muslims believe the Qur’an is the very word of God (whereas, for example, the gospels of the Bible are accounts by others written some time later)
Back on the street and to a cafe to haveĀ a quick juice to refresh where this guy was eating a late lunch. With his hands:
I’ve never seen this way of eating. He’d pour some white liquid on his rice, then bring it together between his fingers and thumb, squish it a few times and raise the still slightly sloppy morsel to his mouth. I’d like to try sometime. I suspect I’ll make even more of a mess than usual >_<
In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein and Temenggong Abdul Rahman allowing the British East India Company to establish a trading post in Singapore. In 1823, the sultan wanted a mosque near his residence in the area. It was constructed between 1824 and 1826 but by the early 1900s it had become inadequate for the Muslim population. In January 1924 the new building was commissioned, designed by Irish architect Denis Dantry, and built over a few years to phase funds:
But it was closed to non-Muslims š
Then through the streets of Little India:
… back to the Merlion where we fortuitously caught another laser show. Hong Kong please take note – this is how you do it:
Then an evening just watching the world, and a significant number of runners, go by. You can tell it’s close to the business district – at home time, the promenade around the harbour becomes a running track for serious athletes and newcomers’ new year’s resolutions. Stick with it, guys – it’s worth it š Ā And I so wish I could join you š
Then back through the Singaporean streets (where the shops spill out on to the pavement) to our hotel:
