THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, AUGUST 3, 1917.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
121
No. 343.
Joint Rules, Regulations and By-laws made by the Governor in Council regarding the Mahomedan Cemetery (Inland Lot. No. 288) by virtue of the authority vested in him under a Deed of Appropriation dated the 15th day of June, 1870, and by the Board of Trustees as regards the Mahomedan Mosque (Inland Lot No. 268) both situate at Victoria in the Colony of Hongkong.
1. There shall be six Trustees for the Mosque and they shall be at the same time Guardians of the Mahomedan Cemetery.
2. The Trustees shall be elected as follows:--Two to be nominated and to repre- sent the Sunni Section other than members of the Islamic Union (the qualification of candidate for the position should be regular subscriber from 1st September, 1917, and/or a regular subscriber of three years standing and holding good social position), two to be nominated and to represent the Sunni Section who are members of the Islamic Union, and two to be nominated and to represent the Shiah Section of the Mahomedan Com- munity of Hongkong. They shall retain office as long as they remain in the Colony or are not absent from the Colony for more than two years or otherwise incapacitated.
3. The Trustees shall be the Guardians of the income of the Musjid whether re- -ceived as rent, donations, gifts or subscriptions, and the Trustees are authorised to apply such money for the upkeep of both Musjid and Cemetery. In the event of the funds exceeding $500 the Trustees shall open a current account with the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank or any other reliable Bank in the name of Trustees of the Mosque and Guardians of the Cemetery, and the cheques shall be signed by the Chairman and the Treasurer. In case of the Chairman being the Treasurer as well, the Secretary shall countersign the cheque. The Trustees shall submit annually a report regarding the Mosque and the Cemetery, shewing improvements made, changes on the Board of Trustees and in the staff, and other matters of public interest; also an audited statement of accounts shewing the receipts and disbursements during the preceding year.
4. The Trustees shall elect annually from among themselves by rotation one to act as Chairman, one to act as Treasurer, and one to act as Secretary. The other Trustees who are not office holders as above mentioned to act as Visiting Trustees.
5. The duty of the Chairman is to preside at all meetings and to act as spokesman of the Trustees in all matters appertaining to the Trusteeship of the Mosque and the Guardianship of the Cemetery. The Treasurer is to take charge of all income such as rents, subscriptions, donations, etc., to the Mosque and Cemetery and to keep proper account of all receipts and expenditures. The Secretary is to issue circulars for meet- ings, take charge of correspondence and to record all proceedings, and to give instructions to procure assistance for burials of all destitute Mahomedans. The Visiting Trustees are to visit the Mosque and Cemetery once a week and to deal with all complaints brought before them as they deem fit.
6. The Trustees shall have power to engage and dismiss employees of the Mosque and Cemetery, except the Imam. The appointment and/or dismissal of the Imam shall be vested in the hands of those members of the congregation who have an adequate knowledge of the learning as laid down in the book of Fiqua known as "Tahtavi". In the event of the Imam committing any irregularity or offence whereby he disqualifies himself from officiating he can be suspended by the Trustees and his irregularity or offence shall be brought to the notice of the above mentioned members of the con- gregation to be disposed of by them. The Imam must be a Sunni of either the Kanafi, Shafi, Maliki, or Kumbli sect.
7. The Trustees shall hold a meeting at least once a month, whether there is anything to transact or not at the Musjid or any place of business which may be found convenient. No business can be transacted unless three members of the
Board are present. The Chairman shall have no casting vote. In the event of the votes being equal and the matter discussed is considered important, any one of the Trustees can ask for a meeting of the subscribers to be called to dispose of the matter in question. In such a case or in any matter of importance to Islam or in making any improvement whereby large sums are involved (expenses for carrying out works required by Government may be incurred by the Trustees if funds are available) a special general meeting of subscribers shall be called and to take place at the Musjid as soon as possible.