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Islam
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has about
80,000 Muslims residents. More than half are Chinese, with the rest
being either locally-born non-Chinese or believers from Pakistan,
India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern and African countries.
There are an additional 100,000 Indonesian workers which makes the
total Muslim population up to 180,000.
The origin of
Muslims in Hong Kong is difficult to trace. However, the Muslim
community become conspicuous since Hong Kong came under British rule
in the middle of the 19th century. The British brought Muslim
soldiers from India. Coming with them were Muslim merchants. As
Muslims increased in Hong Kong, forming a district community, the
government allocated land to them to build mosques and cemeteries.
As years went by,
more and more Muslims came to Hong Kong and settled down.
Among them were Chinese Muslims coming from the Mainland.
The Chinese Muslim
Cultural & Fraternal Association is the major body representing
the Chinese Muslims in Hong Kong. It was established in 1922 at No.
7 Chan Tong Lane, Wan Chai and was incorporated as a charity
organisation in 1963. Apart from conducting religious activities for
the Chinese Muslims, it manages and maintains five non-profit making
schools comprising one college, two primary schools and three
kindergartens.
Four principal
masjids are used daily for prayers. The oldest is the Jamia Masjid
in Shelley Street on Hong Kong Island, which was established before
the turn of the century and rebuilt in 1915. It can accommodate a
congregation of 400.
The Masjid Ammar
and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, filling eight storeys in Wan
Chai, was opened in 1981 and houses a masjid on two floors, a
community hall, a library, a medical clinic, classrooms and offices.
The masjid is managed by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong and
accommodates 700 people but can hold up to 1 500 by using other
space in the centre.
The Kowloon Masjid
and Islamic Centre, on what is sometimes called the 'Golden Mile' in
Nathan Road, was opened in 1984 and replaced a masjid built in 1896.
This imposing building, with white marble finishing, is a
distinctive landmark in Tsim Sha Tsui. The masjid can hold about
2,000 worshippers and has three prayer halls, a community hall, a
medical clinic and a library.
Hong Kong Island
has two Muslim cemeteries, one at Happy Valley and the other at Cape
Collinson, Chai Wan. The Cape Collinson cemetery also has a masjid.
The co-ordinating body for all Islamic religious affairs is the
Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a
public charity. A board of trustees nominated by the Islamic Union
of Hong Kong, the Pakistan Association, the Indian Muslim
Association and the Dawoodi Bohra Association, manages and maintains
masjids and cemeteries. The trustees are also responsible for
organising the celebration of Muslim festivals and other religious
events. Charitable work among the Muslim community, including
financial aid for the needy, medical facilities and assisted
education, is conducted through various local Muslim organisations.
Source: www. islam.org.hk
(Last updated on 2006/12/7)
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