HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952
second mosque was built in 1896, in Nathan Road, Kowloon, but in 1902 it was transferred to the care of the military authorities for use by Indian troops.
The Sikh community and followers of the Sikh faith, numbering about 1,000, have had a temple in Hong Kong since 1870. The building was demolished during the Japanese occupation but it has since been rebuilt on a site in Queen's Road East.
The Parsis were among the foreign communities which arrived with the British in 1841. They had in 1829 established a prayer-house and cemetery in Macao, and in 1852 they established their first cemetery in Hong Kong in Happy Valley. In 1874 they estab- lished a prayer-hall in Elgin Street, which was moved in 1931 to a new site on Leighton Hill Road. There is no Fire Temple or Tower of Silence.
The Jews, whose community numbers about 250, were also established in Macao prior to the foundation of Hong Kong where they were among the earliest residents. Their cemetery, on the slopes of Happy Valley, was founded in 1855, and their religious services were originally held in premises rented in the Peel Street, Staunton Street area of the Central district of Victoria. The present Synagogue, built in 1901, is the gift of the late Sir Jacob Sassoon.
The Hindus have no temple in the Colony at present; but plans for a new building in Happy Valley are at present under consideration. It is hoped to start construction in 1953. At present they use the Sikh temple for their observances. Followers of Guru Nanak have their temple known as Sikh Temple at the Gurudwara Gap Road. Apart from this there is only private worship.
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