ENG-2007 — Page 433

Religion and Custom | 365

Hindu Community

The religious and social activities of the 40 000-strong Hindu community take place mainly in the Hindu Temple in Happy Valley. The Hindu Association of Hong Kong is responsible for the upkeep of the temple, which is used for meditation, spiritual lectures and community activities, including yoga classes and observance of major Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra and Holi. Engagement and marriage. ceremonies (in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance) are performed in the temple according to Hindu rites. Other important services include the administration of last rites, making arrangements for cremation and related ceremonies and the maintenance of the Hindu crematorium at Cape Collinson.

Devotional music sessions and religious discourses are held every Sunday morning, followed by a free community meal which is also served on Monday evenings.

Sikh Community

The Sikhs came to Hong Kong from Punjab, India, as part of the British Armed Forces in the 19th century. The first Sikh temple, Siri Guru Singh Sabha, was established in 1901 in Queen's Road East, Wanchai. The building was redeveloped in 1938 and renamed Sikh Temple, and is managed by the Khalsa Diwan, a registered charitable organisation. The present Sikh Temple is classified as a Grade III Historic Building. Due to the growing Sikh population in Hong Kong, the building is being further developed to house a new kitchen and dining hall on the ground floor and a new small temple, Guru Nanak Darbar, a social hail and staff quarters on the first floor. The second and third floors will be used for religious teaching, sports and cultural activities.

Religious services are conducted in the temple every morning and evening. Followers of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism, gather in the temple in large numbers on Sundays and on main holy days.

The most important religious dates are the birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Guru) and Baisakhi (the birthday of all Sikhs).

There are 10 000 Sikhs in Hong Kong at present. They work in the private sector, in the civil service and in different professional fields.

Jewish Community

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The settlement of the Jewish community in Hong Kong dates from the 1840s and comprises families drawn from different parts of the world. There are three main synagogues Ohel Leah Synagogue (Orthodox) providing daily, Sabbath and festival services, the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong (Reform) with Sabbath and festival services, both of which share the same premises in Robinson Road; and the Chabad Lubavitch which has daily services in MacDonnell Road. All fulfil an important role in the religious, cultural and social life of the Jewish people in Hong Kong.