Q.1 Is it appropriate to talk politics in social or business situations?

Q.2 Which places objects actions and events are sacred?

Q.3 Is there a tolerance for minority religions?

Q.4 How do religious holidays affect business and government activities?

Religion
Religious Beliefs. There is freedom of religion with some exceptions. Singapore has been
described as one of the most religious countries in the world. The major religions are Islam
(Malay), Hinduism (Indians), Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religion (Chinese), along with a
substantial number of Christians of various denominations.

Rituals and Holy Places. The many Chinese and Indian temples, Malay mosques, and Christian
churches are the main public arenas for religious activities. Much religious activity is also carried
out in the home. There are different "street festivals" according to the ritual calendars of the
different ethnic groups

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Secular Celebrations
The national holiday is on 31 August and is celebrated with military parades and culture shows at
the national stadium. The ethnic public holidays are divided nearly equally among Chinese,
Malay, Indian, and Christian holidays. The most important ethnic holidays are the Chinese New
Year and the Malay Muslim Rahmadan, both celebrated in January–February, and the Indian
Deepavali or Festival of the Light, celebrated around September–October.

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There are eleven public holidays in Singapore: Chinese New Year (two days), the Buddhist & Hindu
holiday of Vesak Day & Deepavali (one day), the two Islamic holidays of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (1 Syawal)
and Hari Raya Aidil Adha (10 Zulhijah), the Hindu holiday of Deepavali (one day), the two Christian
holidays of Good Friday and Christmas Day (25 December), and the secular holidays of New Year's Day,
Labour Day and National Day. These public holidays have been recognised since Singapore's 1968
Employment Act. The days observed as general public holidays in Singapore are declared in the schedule
to the Holidays Act.[2] According to the Ministry of Manpower, which issues a yearly list of the dates on
which public holidays fall, the holidays were "chosen and agreed upon after close consultation with
different community and religious leaders in Singapore".[3] Other factors taken into account were the
impact on business costs and statutory leave provided for under the Employment Act.[4] Thus, some
religious holidays such as Easter Monday, Mawlid (the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) and
Thaipusam were removed from the list of public holidays to improve business competitiveness.[3]
Religion in Singapore

Most Singaporeans celebrate the major festivals associated with their respective religions. The
variety of religions is a direct reflection of the diversity of races living there. The Chinese are
predominantly followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Shenism, Christians, Catholics and some
considered as 'free-thinkers' (Those who do not belong to any religion). Malays have the
Muslims and Indians are Hindus. There is a sizeable number of Muslims and Sikhs in the Indian
population.

Religious tolerance is essential in Singapore. In fact, religions often cross racial boundaries and
some even merge in unusual ways in this modern country. Younger Singaporeans tend to
combine a little of the mysteries of the older generation with the realistic world that they know of
today.

Religion is still an integral part of the cosmopolitan Singapore. Many of its most interesting
buildings are religious, be it old temples, modern churches, or exotic mosques. An understanding
of these buildings do play a part in contributing to the appreciation of their art.

Chinese Temples

Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and ancestral worship are combined into a versatile mix in
Chinese temples.

Followers of the Tao (The Way) adhere to the teachings of the ancient Chinese legend, Lao Tzu.
They are concerned with the balance of the Yin and Yang, which are opposite forces of heaven
and earth, male and female. Feng Shui, literally translated as wind and water, also originated
from Yin and Yang. Ancestral worship is common and the spirits of the dead, like the gods
themselves, are appeased with offerings.

Most Buddhists are of the Mahayana school although there are some from the Theravada school.
In Singapore, the Buddhist faith is linked with Taoism and the practical doctrine of
Confucianism.

Islam

The Malays in Singapore are Muslims. A few of the Indians are also Muslims, but even more
uncommon are the Chinese Muslims.

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/about-singapore/culture-and-language.htm

HOLIDAYS: Major Western, Chinese, Malay, and Muslim holidays are celebrated, some of which fall on
annually variable dates because of the calendars used. Major holidays include New Year's Day, 1
January; Chinese New Year; Good Friday; Vesak Day (Buddhist festival); Labor Day, 1 May; Hari Raya
Puasa (Muslim festival); National Day, 9 August; Hari Raya Haji (Malay Muslim festival); Dewali;
Christmas, 25 December.

RELIGIONS
The Chinese adhere in varying degrees to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. According to a
2000 census, these faiths, as well as traditional ancestor worship, were practiced by about 51% of
the population. Malays and persons with origins in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi portions of the
Indian subcontinent are almost exclusively Muslim. About 15% of the total population practices
Islam. About 15% of the population is Christian, with Protestants outnumbering Roman
Catholics by about two to one. Most of the Indian minority (4%) are Hindus. There are also
small Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Jain communities.

There is complete separation of state and religion in Singapore and freedom of religion is
constitutionally guaranteed. However, all religious groups must be registered under the Societies
Act, and the government has maintained a ban on the registration of Jehovah's Witnesses and the
Unification Church. The government also has a semiofficial relationship with the Islamic
Religious Council. One holiday from each of the nation's major religions (Islam, Christianity,
Hinduism, and Buddhism) is recognized as a national holiday.