PLACES OF WORSHIP

Although the majority of islanders are Muslims and the official religion is Islam, the other races are free to profess and practice any religion. Besides the abundance of mosques and mussallahs all over the Langkawi islands to cater for the huge Muslim population, there are also Buddhist temples, a church, a Sai Baba centre, and Hindu temples located mostly in and around Kuah town. For Buddhists, a new temple has been consecrated near Kilim. One of the most venerated monks from Thailand travelled to Langkawi in June 2006, attracting a huge following of Buddhists from Malaysia, Thailand and other places for ceremonial blessing.
The main Hindu temple in Langkawi, the Sri Subramaniar Temple is located at Pokok Asam in Kuah town. It is just a short distance from the Langkawi Parade Shopping Mall. The temple is contactable at this telephone number: 012-493 6546 (Mr. Sivamuni) or 012-4723116 (Mr. Gunasegaran -Secretary) or Treasurer, Mr. Arunasalam at 012-4886930. The priest is Mr. Ubandran Gurukal. There is another Hindu temple on the south side of the island where most of the Indian community live. Comprising mostly of rubber plantation workers, the community has been in this area for a long time, hence the establishment of a Hindu temple there.