Page 20 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

16 INTRODUCTION TO MALAYSIA
The national language is Bahasa Malaysia. English is also widely spoken along with many Chinese, Indian and native dialects.
Religion
Malaysia is a modern Islamic country; Islam is professed by 63.5% of
the population and is the official religion. Other faiths however, such as Buddhism (18.7%); Christianity (9.1%); Hinduism (6.1%); others (0.9%) and unknown or
no religion (1.8%) are freely practiced; temples, mosques and churches are situated comfortably side by side as it were.
Religious faith has given Malaysia some of its
finest landmarks. Notable mosques include the National Mosque, the Blue Mosque in Shah Alam
(the largest in Malaysia), the Crystal Mosque in
The Perdana Putra building (centre right) houses the offices of the Prime Minister. Located on Putrajaya’s highest point, it is flanked by the Putra Mosque (centre left). The square fronting the two buildings flies the national flag and those of all Malaysia’s constituent states.
Kuala Terengganu and the exquisite Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar. In major cities, including Penang, Melaka, Klang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, mosques built by Indian Muslims also occupy prominent locations.
Major Hindu monuments
include the Batu
Caves temple complex
in Selangor, the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Penang and the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Klang. Buddhism has contributed the Wat Machimmaran in Kelantan,
The main tower of Malaysia’s Parliament Complex in Kuala Lumpur, which houses representatives’ offices. The main building holding the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) and Dewan Negara (Upper House) is visible in the background.
The imposing Palace of Justice in Putrajaya houses Malaysia’s two highest courts, the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. Its symmetrical design represents the order resulting from well-administered justice.