Malaysia

Known for its white sandy beaches and luscious rainforests, Malaysia, in Southeast Asia, is a country of rich, diverse culture and iconic skyline. With a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influence in everything from the food to the architecture, visitors are in for a worldly experience. Whether you’re visiting the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to enjoy its busy shopping districts or one of Malaysia’s islands with its tropical warm waters and excellent scuba diving, the country has something to offer for everyone.

For Muslim travellers, Malaysia, with its 19.5 million Muslim adherents, is an excellent place for a family vacation or a honeymoon destination. With plenty of halal restaurants, and mosques for prayers, the country has become a firm favourite amongst halal tourists.

History

Up until the 13th Century, the Malay peninsula was ruled by Maharajas of the trade based Srivijaya empire. With Sanskrit as the national writing system, the religion of the people was a mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism. Islam was gradually introduced to the Peninsula through Arab and Indian traders and was initially adopted by the elite.

The adoption of Islam nationally by the 15th century saw the rise of a number of sultanates, and since then Islam has had a profound influence on the Malay people. In 1511, the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, became the first European countries to colonise the Malay Peninsula. It wasn’t until the 18th century when the British Empire colonised Malaysia that a treaty defined the boundaries between British Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies (which today is known as Indonesia), geographically defining the country that it is today.

The importance of Malaya as a trading post increased inline with the increase of British trade with China. Modern day Kuala Lumpur was founded as a trading post for immigrant miners and was declared the capital of Federated Malay States in 1896. During world war II Japan launched an assault onto Malay territories, leading to the death of 80,000 ethnic Chinese in Malaya and Singapore. The British regained control of Malaya in 1945 after the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However British rule was mired by guerrilla style insurgency as the nationalist movement gained momentum. On 30 August 1957, the Federation of Malaysiaachieved its independence. Today, headed by King Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia has one of the best economic records in Asia, fuelled by its natural resources, tourism, commerce and medical tourism.

Food

With Muslims making up 61.3% of the Malay population there is an abundance of halal restaurants catering for a variety of tastes. Malay cuisine is strongly influenced by Indian and Chinese flavors. Malaysian chefs and home cooks usually have a pantry stocked with chilli pepper, shrimp paste, soy sauce, rice and coconuts which are all base ingredients for traditional meal. Visitors to Malaysia can expect a variety of flavoursome meals at over 1000 halal restaurant scattered across the country.

Mohammad Chow

With the strong influence of Chinese culture in Malaysia, Chinese cuisine and restaurants have an overwhelming presence in the country. One of the most popular Chinese halal eateries is Mohammad Chow. Serving a range of tai chow dishes and one-plate meals like Hokkien noodles or fried rice, this cozy restaurant is nestled in the Damansara Perdana businesss center. A must-try dish is the delicious chicken buttermilk which is made in rich, thick and creamy sauces, or the Marmite prawns.

Melur Thyme Restauran

Located in the beautiful Suria KLCC shopping mall is this award-winning eatery. With a beautifully furnished setting of traditional marble-top tables, hand-drawn installations, low-hanging bulbs and intricate wired art, this restaurant indulges all the senses. Diners at this extraordinary restaurant will be treated to a variety of local dishes including crispy Peking duck, ayam masak cili hijau and Nyonya chicken rendang. The restaurant also serves a variety of familiar western dishes including beef stew and salmon croquets (RM15). Wash your meal down with a smoothie, freshly squeezed juice or one of the restaurants signature cocktail.

Arabesque

If you’re looking for a restaurant with an amazing atmosphere that serves delicious meals, then head to Arabesque. This Middle Eastern restaurant is perfectly located on the bustling Petaling Street, and offers its diners a variety of hearty, great-tasting, pork-free dishes. With an expansive menu that spans traditional Turkish, Egyptian and Syrian delicacie, the restaurant serves dishes such as fattoush, falafel roll, grilled half chicken with saffron rice, and shawerma platters. It is the perfect lunch or dinner stop, before heading back to your hotel or continuing your day of shopping.

Straits Food Company

Just minutes away from the towering condominiums and office buildings in BangsarUtam, you’ll find this authentic yet halal Nyonya eatery. Set in a tradition styled coffeehouse, this restaurant has an al fresco dining section with large windows overlooking the quiet neighborhood outside. Serving Nyonya delicacies such as pongteh chicken, nyonya laksa, and ikan Gerang asam (sour and spicy fish curry), and appetisers such as popiah (spring rolls) and otak-otak (fish steamed in pandan leaves), it is the perfect location for a lazy lunch. Straits Food Company also serves cendol – a Malaccan dessert of shaved ice, coconut milk, pandan-flavoured starch jelly, and palm sugar – that is definitely a must-try.

Attractions

Petronas Towers

The iconic Petronas Towers resembling twin silver rockets are a perfect example of modern architecture in Malaysia. Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the towers offer visitors a bird’s eye view of the capital city below. Your ticket to explore this stunning masterpiece includes a 45-minute guided tours, walking over the Skybridge connection on the 41st floor, and time on the 86th floor’s observation deck. Built in 1998, the towers have become one of Malaysia’s top tourist attractions.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Officially opened in 1998, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur’s tourist belt amidst the lush greenery of Perdana Botanical Gardens. Being the largest museum of Islamic arts in South East Asia, it is home to more than seven thousands artifacts from the Islamic world which are showcased over 12 main galleries. The galleries include the Quran and Manuscripts Gallery, the Islamic Architecture Gallery, the India Gallery, the Chinese Gallery, the Ancient Malay World Gallery and the Ottoman Syrian Room dating back to the 19th Century.

Kek Lok Si

Also known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss, Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. A popular stop for many tourists, the temple was built by an immigrant Chinese Buddhist in 1890. Located in Air Itam, eight kilometres from the centre of George Town, the temple provides tourists with access to the Ban Po Thar – a seven-tier, 30m-high tower. There is also a cable car that whisks you to the highest level, and is presided over by an awesome 36.5m-high bronze statue of Kuan Yin, goddess of mercy. Perfect for a family day out, Kek Lok Si is well supplied with numerous vegetarian restaurants.

Natural Wonders

Batu Caves

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Malaysia is visiting Batu Caves. Located three hours outside the capital Kuala Lumpur, the caves are home to Batu Cave Hindu temple — a massive limestone outcrop — and its cavernous interior lined with different deities. The long drive to this amazing natural wonder will give you perspective of Malaysia country living, and expose you to the true beauty of this country.

Mosques

National Mosque of Malaysia

Situated in the middle of a 53,000 square metre gardens right in the centre of Kuala Lumpur is the National Mosque of Malaysia. With a capacity of 16,000 people, this mosque is made for masses. Built in 1965 and later renovated in 1987, the mosque is bold and a true beauty in the middle of the city. With a 73 metre high minaret and concrete and glass roof in the form of a 16 point star, this mosque is a sight to behold. The stained glass windows lining the upper portion of the mosque walls bathe it in gentle yellow, blue and green light. Surrounded by 13 acres of beautiful gardens that are open to the public, this mosque provides a serene and contemplative environment that is perfect for prayer.

Penang State Mosque

Dating back to 1980s, Penang State Mosque was a collaboration between a Brazilian architect and a Filipino architect which perfectly reflects the multicultural makeup of Malaysia. With a capacity of 5000 people, it is located in the western end of Georgetown, at the intersection of Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Air Itam, but it must be noted that the prayer halls are only open for Muslim visitors. With flowing lines, a roof that resembles waves lapping against a golden dome and an imposing yet elegant minaret, you should definitely try to make Penang state mosque a prayer stop on your holiday.

Zahir Mosque

If you’re on your way to Langkwai and making your way through Alor Star, it’s worth stopping off at the Zahir Mosque which is one of the grandest historic buildings in town. With its domes and minarets, the mosque is often on lists of the top 10 most beautiful mosques in the world. Dating back to 1912, it’s also one of the older mosques in Malaysia, and was built for a sultan. The mosque is host to the annual Quran reading competition, and one look at the magnificent and grandeur of the architecture, both inside and out, helps you understand why.