40 day kingdom prayer challenge 40Days02single | Page 26

Week 5 Indian communities in Singapore’s North-East Region Hinduism arrived in Singapore in the early 19th century, with the wave of immigrants from southern India to work mostly as labourers for the British East India Company. In 2015 Singapore had 361,000 Indians, including 120,000 permanent residents. Although 20% of Indians in Singapore are residing in Singapore’s North-East, only two Hindu temples service this population. This community has a deep and rich spiritual culture, believing that there is one ultimate god (Brahma) who expresses Himself in many different ways. Most Hindu homes have shrines where family members worship the avatar (or expression) of Brahma to whom they feel most connected - Shiva and Vishnu are the two most common. The reality of spiritual power and oppression are acknowledged, and protection is sought. Different avatars (or ‘gods’) are approached for different needs. Purity is also an important concept in Hinduism for those who would approach the gods for puja (‘worship’), meaning to see and be seen by the god. There are heavy concentrations of Indian migrants in the north-east region - particularly Sengkang and Punggol. 24 40 day kingdom Prayer Challenge