Exploring minority communities: a study of Chinese and Siamese temples in Pasir Mas, Kelantan

This study explores Taoist and Buddhist temples in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, focusing on how minority communities practice their faith and preserve cultural identities within a Muslim-majority society. It examines their harmonious coexistence with the Malay Muslim majority while maintaining religious traditions. The research investigates the history and development of these temples and their role in social, educational, and cultural life. Understanding these religious practices fosters tolerance and reduces prejudice in a multicultural society. A qualitative approach is adopted, incorporating fieldwork, interviews with twenty religious leaders, local authorities, and community members, alongside secondary sources. Findings reveal that the Chinese and Siamese communities enjoy religious freedom and contribute to mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. The study concludes that shared universal values between Islam, Taoism, and Buddhism, along with a supportive constitutional framework, play a critical role in fostering regional interreligious harmony. These insights offer valuable implications for promoting interfaith understanding and social cohesion in multicultural societies.