Malaysia is a beautiful country in terms of natural beauty, people, culture & traditions. Know the reasons that make the country an ideal multicultural society.
Malaysia is one such country in Asia where you will get to see people from various cultural backgrounds, inhabiting the land & dwelling peacefully. It is a visual treat for a traveler to get a taste and glimpse of more than one culture in one place, saving money, time and enjoying the genetic diversity and various cultural experiences. The Malaysian society is made up of mainly Malays, Chinese & the Indians. ‘Bahasa’ is the official language while English is the common language when they interact with any foreigner. You can visit the country from any part of the world by just being a part of the Malaysia MM2H program.
Let us look at the reasons that make Malaysia a delightful multicultural society.
The main ethnic groups-
The Malays, Chinese & Indians are the main ethnic groups of the country. The Malays formulate about 50% of the population, making them the majority in the country. The term “Malay” is referred to people who practice Islam and Malay traditions and are descendants of Malay ancestors. The Malays are considered to be the first to settle in the country along with the indegenuous tribes & were held to be the harbingers of prosperity. The second highest population is that of the Chinese who are known for their grasp over any kind of business. They mainly speak ‘Hokkien’, ‘Hakka’ & ‘Cantonese’ & are descendants of Chinese immigrants. Buddhism is the main religion of many of them & they mainly reside in northern Penang, Kuala Lumpur & Johor. The smallest ethnic group consist of the Indians, comprising about 10% of the population. They came to this country with the hope to have better living conditions & break away from the orthodox practice of the caste system. Majority of them are Tamil-speaking south Indians; the community as a whole have provided a colorful & vibrant culture to the country in the form of dress, food, music, dance & festival.
Respect for all-
Although Malaysia is a multicultural society, all the religions are treated equally. No religion is given special emphasis at any point in time because the Constitution of Malaysia lays down the right of each religion to practice freely in an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance. Respecting the other religions is a factor that has differentiated Malaysia from all the other Asian countries. Also, with so many religions, communities, traditions & customs, Malaysia is truly an amalgamation of rich culture.
Festivals-Being a multicultural society has its perks. The major one is that the people of every community celebrate festivals together & also national holiday is observed throughout the country. Among the numerous festivals that are celebrated, Thaipusam is one of the most important Tamil festivals that celebrates the victory of Lord Muruga over Soorapadam, an evil spirit. Tadau Ka’amatan Harvest Festival is a celebration to thank the holy spirits for the abundant harvest. Regardless of race or religion, everyone comes together to celebrate each & every festival & this makes Malaysia an ideal multicultural society.
Dress codes-
Irrespective of what religion the people follow, most of the Malaysians wear western clothing. But during festivals, they all put on their best traditional attire. The Malaysian women also enjoy the liberty to wear clothes of their choice, provided it is decent & respectful.
Conclusion- Malaysia is truly a land with amazing cultural diversity. Not only does it abound in natural beauty but also the varied culture & tradition that makes the country an ideal place to stay permanently or temporarily.
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