RELIGION AND CUSTOM
255
a congregation of about 2 000 and in addition to the three prayer halls there is a community hall, a medical clinic and a library.
There are two Muslim cemeteries and each has its own mosque. Both cemeteries are on Hong Kong Island, one at Happy Valley and the other at Cape Collinson, Chai Wan.
The co-ordinating body for all Islamic religious affairs is the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. A board of trustees, comprising representatives of sections of the Muslim community, is responsible for the management and maintenance of mosques 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.
Hindu Community
The religious and social activities of the 10 000 members of Hong Kong's Hindu community are centred on the Hindu Temple at Happy Valley. The Hindu Association of Hong Kong is responsible for the upkeep of the temple, which also is used for meditation periods, yoga classes and teaching Hindi to the Indian community. Naming, engagement and marriage ceremonies are performed at the temple according to Hindu customs. Religious music, lectures and recitals are conducted every Sunday morning and Monday evening.
The Hindu Temple is frequently visited by swamis and learned men from overseas who give spiritual lectures to the community. A number of festivals are observed, the more important being the Holi Festival, the Birth of Lord Krishna, Shivaratri, Dussahara and Diwali.
Various linguistic groups among the Hindus organise additional festivals for other deities such as Hanuman, Devi and Ganesh, and conduct prayer meetings on auspicious occasions.
Sikh Community
The Sikhs - distinguished by their stylised turbans and unshorn hair - first came to Hong Kong from the Punjab in North India as part of the British Armed Forces in the 19th century. Because of their generally strong physique, they also comprised a large segment of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force before World War II.
Today, members of the community are engaged in a variety of occupations. The centre of their religious and cultural activities is the Sikh Temple in Wan Chai. A special feature of the temple, which was established in 1901, is the provision of free meals and short-term accommodation for overseas visitors of any faith. Religious services, which include hymn singing, readings from the Guru Granth (the Sikh Holy Book) and sermons by the priest, are held every Sunday morning. The temple also houses a library which contains a good selection of books on the Sikh religion and culture, and runs a 'starters' school for Indian children aged between four and six to prepare them for English primary schools in Hong Kong.
The main holy days and festivals observed are the birthdays of Guru Nanak (founder of the faith), Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th and last Guru) and Baisakhi (birthday of all Sikhs). To meet the demands of a growing congregation, the temple prayer hall is being enlarged.
Jewish Community
―
Hong Kong's Jewish community - comprising families from various parts of the world worships on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Jewish holidays at the Synagogue 'Ohel Leah' in Robinson Road, Hong Kong Island. The synagogue was built in 1901 on land given by Sir Jacob Sassoon and his family. The site includes a rabbi's residence and a school as well as a recreation club for the 1 000 people in the congregation.
Page 330Page 331