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RELIGION AND CUSTOM

During the year, the Chinese YMCA's new Harbour View International House, in Harbour Road on Hong Kong Island, was opened and the Salvation Army dedicated its new headquarters building in Yau Ma Tei. In October, a group of local church leaders visited China as the guests of the Jiangsu Christian Council and the Three Self Movement in the province. The following month, taking account of the Sino-British Agreement on the future of the territory, the Hong Kong Christian Council organised a conference on 'The Mission of the Church in Hong Kong - a Mid-Decade Consultation'.

Muslim Community

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There are an estimated 50 000 Muslims in Hong Kong. More than half of them are Chinese with the rest being either locally born non-Chinese or believers from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern and African countries. Three principal mosques are used daily for prayers. The oldest is the Jamia Mosque in Shelley Street on Hong Kong Island which was built before the turn of the century and rebuilt in 1915. It can accommodate a congregation of 400.

Also on Hong Kong Island is the Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre. Opened in 1981, this eight-storey centre in Wan Chai houses a mosque on two floors, a community hall, a library, a medical clinic, classrooms and offices. The mosque, which is managed by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, can accommodate 700 people but when necessary this number can be increased to about 1 500 by using other available space within the centre.

Situated on what is sometimes called the 'Golden Mile' in Nathan Road is the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre which was opened in May 1984. This imposing building, with white marble finishing, is a new landmark in Tsim Sha Tsui. The mosque can accommodate 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 representa- tives of four Muslim organisations, namely, the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, the Pakistan Association, the Indian Muslim Association and the Dawoodi Borah Association, 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 in Happy Valley. The Hindu Association of Hong Kong is responsible for the upkeep of the temple, which is also 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