ENG-1977 — Page 242

RELIGION AND CUSTOM

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management and maintenance of mosques and cemeteries. The trustees also are re- sponsible for organising the celebration of Muslim festivals and other religious events. Charitable work among the Muslim community, including financial aid for the needy, hospitalisation and assisted education, is conducted through a welfare committee working under the direction of the board of trustees.

Other Religious Communities

The 8,000-strong Hindu community can trace its ties with Hong Kong back to early settlement. Religious and social activities are centred around the Hindu Temple at Happy Valley. It is frequently visited by swamis and learned men from overseas who give spiritual lectures to the community. A number of festivals also are observed, the more important being the Holi Festival, the Birth of Lord Krishna, Shivaratri, Dessahara and Diwali.

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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. Namings, engagements and marriages are performed at the temple according to Hindu customs. Religious music and recitals are performed every Sunday morning and Monday evening.

The Sikhs, numbering more than 2,000, are perhaps one of Hong Kong's most colourful minorities. Sporting stylised turbans and unshorn hair, they first came to Hong Kong in the early days as members of the British Armed Forces. Before World War II, a large segment of the Royal Hong Kong Police comprised Sikhs. 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 unique feature of the temple is that it provides free meals and short-term accom- modation to overseas visitors of any faith. 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 (the birthday of all Sikhs). During these celebra- tions, all those attending take part in community feasts prepared and served by mem- bers of the congregation.

Hong Kong's Jewish community worships on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and Jewish holidays at a synagogue in Robinson Road. Built in 1901 on land given by Sir Jacob Sassoon and his family, the synagogue is in memory of Sir Jacob's mother, Leah. It is known as the Synagogue ‘Ohel Leah'. The site includes a rabbi's residence as well as a recreation club for the 500 people in the congregation. These families originate from various parts of the world.