ENG-1994 — Page 427

RELIGION AND CUSTOM

responsible for the upkeep of the temple, which is also used for meditation periods, yoga classes and other community activities. Naming, engagement and marriage ceremonies are performed at the temple according to Hindu rites. Devotional music sessions and religious discourses are held every Sunday morning and Monday evening. The Sunday sessions are followed by a free community meal.

The Hindu Temple is an approved place of worship for the performance of marriages and the issue of marriage certificates under the Marriage Ordinance.

The temple is frequently visited by swamis and learned men from overseas who deliver spiritual lectures. All major Hindu festivals are observed, the more important ones being Holi, the Birth of Lord Krishna, Shivaratri, Dussehra and Diwali.

Other important services are the administration of last rites and arranging cremation and related ceremonies. The temple is also responsible for the upkeep of the Hindu crematorium at Cape Collinson.

The 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 at 371 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island. 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 containing 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 by the Sikh community are the birthdays of Guru Nanak (the founder of the faith), Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru) and Baisakhi (the birthday of all Sikhs).

The 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 original site included a Rabbi's residence and school, as well as a recreation club for the 1 000 people in the congregation. There is also a Jewish Cemetery, which is located at Happy Valley.

The site adjoining the synagogue, which once housed the school and club, is currently under reconstruction and the club has been temporarily relocated in Melbourne Plaza, Central. It has two restaurants serving Kosher meals prepared under rabbinical supervision, from 8 am to 11 pm daily, and a specialist library with information on the history of Judaism in Hong Kong and China.

377

378

וי

וי

TE