ENG-1999 — Page 423

RELIGION AND CUSTOM

Along with its apostolic work, the diocese is concerned with the well-being of all the people of Hong Kong. The 322 Catholic schools and kindergartens have 290 450 pupils. The Catholic Board of Education assists in this area. Medical and social services include six hospitals, 12 clinics, 14 social centres, 10 hostels, 25 homes for the aged, 22 homes for the handicapped and many self-help clubs and associations. Caritas is the official social welfare arm of the church in Hong Kong. Services are open to all people — indeed, 95 per cent of those who have benefited from the wide range of services provided by the diocese are not Catholics.

The diocese publishes two weekly newspapers, Kung Kao Po and The Sunday Examiner. The Diocesan Audio-Visual Centre produces tapes and films for use in schools and parishes and the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office acts as an overall information and public relations channel for the diocese.

The Muslim Community

Hong Kong has about 80 000 Muslims. More than half are Chinese, with the rest being either locally-born non-Chinese or believers from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern and African countries. The Chinese Muslim Cultural & Fraternal Association is the major body representing the Chinese Muslims in Hong Kong. It was established in 1922 at No. 7 Chan Tong Lane, Wan Chai and was incorporated as a charity organisation in 1963. Apart from conducting religious activities for the Chinese Muslims, it manages and maintains six non-profit making schools comprising one college, two primary schools and three kindergartens.

Four principal masjids are used daily for prayers. The oldest is the Jamia Masjid in Shelley Street on Hong Kong Island, which was established before the turn of the century and rebuilt in 1915. It can accommodate a congregation of 400.

The Masjid Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, filling eight storeys in Wan Chai, was opened in 1981 and houses a masjid on two floors, a community hall, a library, a medical clinic, classrooms and offices. The masjid is managed by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong and accommodates 700 people but can hold up to 1 500 by using other space in the centre.

The Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre, on what is sometimes called the 'Golden Mile' in Nathan Road, was opened in 1984 and replaced a masjid built in 1896. This imposing building, with white marble finishing, is a distinctive landmark in Tsim Sha Tsui. The masjid can hold about 2 000 worshippers and has three prayer halls, a community hall, a medical clinic and a library.

Hong Kong Island has two Muslim cemeteries, one at Happy Valley and the other at Cape Collinson, Chai Wan. The Cape Collinson cemetery also has a masjid. The co-ordinating body for all Islamic religious affairs is the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a public charity. A board of trustees nominated by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, the Pakistan Association, the Indian Muslim Association and the Dawoodi Bohra Association, manages and maintains masjids 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.

357