STAR BLOGGERS

Think you know much about the various races and religions in Singapore? See if you knew these facts!

1) MP Inderjit Singh belongs to which religious faith?
A: Sikhism

2) If Raju’s mother tongue is Tamil, which region in India do his ethnic origins lie?
A: South India/ Tamil Nadu

3) What does the Deepavali festival celebrate?
A: Triumph of good over evil/ Light over darkness

4) What does the dot on a Hindu’s forehead represent?
A: Their spiritual eye

5) Which animal is considered sacred in Hinduism, and Hindus would not eat its flesh?
A: The cow/ beef

6) At what age are Muslim women required to wear a tudung/ headscarf?
A: When they reach puberty.

7) Why can’t Muslims eat pork and touch dogs?
A: These animals are considered unclean in Islam.

What is the difference between A)Hari Raya Puasa & B) Hari Raya Haji
A: The end of Ramadan/ fasting month
B: To commemorate Prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of Prophet Ishmael to God.

9) What is the meaning of “halal” and “haram”?
A: Allowed/ lawful & Forbidden/ unlawful

10) What is the name and meaning of the handshake that Muslims do when they meet?
A: The Salam. It is a handshake that symbolizes heartfelt greetings.

11) What is the significance of Vesak day?
A: Commemorating Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment and entering into nirvana.

12) When eating with a Chinese, why is it considered rude to stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl?
A: Because it resembles joss sticks offerings in an urn.

13) Why is it taboo to use a broom during Chinese New Year?
A: Because it symbolizes sweeping away good luck.

14) Which religion does the oldest temple in Singapore (Thian Hock Keng Temple) adhere/cater to?
A: Taoism

15) Why do the Chinese consider the number 8 auspicious?
A: Because it sounds like the word “prosper” in Cantonese.

16) Do all Indians wash their hair with coconut oil, why do they use it?
A: No. Coconut oil is believed to have medicinal properties, but not all Indians use it.

17) Are all Malays in Singapore Muslims?
A: No. Malay is a race, Islam is a religion. There are Christian & Hindu Malays in Singapore as well.

18) Why do the Chinese say “touch wood” when they speak of negative things eg. death?
A: To ward off bad luck or misfortune. The Gods are believed to reside in trees and therefore touching wood is an action to ask for good luck.

19) Is it true that there is a knife in a Sikh’s turban?
A: No. Sikhs carry a pocket knife as part of the 5 articles of their faith.

20) When a Malay person’s name is Siti Binte Ahmad, why is it wrong to call her Ms Ahmad?
A: Ahmad is her father’s name. You should call her Ms Siti.

21) Can Muslims wear shoes made out of pig skin lining?
A: No. They cannot touch pig products

PLUS, you voted on our poll last night, and here are the results!

QN: Do you think the whole McDonald’s saga was a publicity gimmick?

1. Yes, now everyone will be rushing to buy the pig toy – 59% votes

2. No, it was an honest mistake – 41% votes