ENG-2009 — Page 447

Religion and Custom | 371

The diocese has its own administrative structure while maintaining close links with the Pope and other Catholic communities around the world with which it shares the same creed, scripture, liturgy and organisation.

Along with its apostolic work, one of the prime concerns of the diocese is the well-being of the community as a whole. The diocese has 275 Catholic schools and kindergartens catering to about 210 000 pupils. The schools are assisted by the Catholic Education Office. Medical and social services are provided to at least six hospitals, 12 clinics, 40 social and family service centres, 19 hostels, 13 homes for the aged, 20 rehabilitation service centres and many self-help clubs and associations. Caritas-Hong Kong is the official social welfare arm of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. These services are offered to everyone and, indeed, 95 per cent of those who have benefited from them are not Catholics.

The diocese publishes two weekly newspapers Kung Kao Po and the Sunday Examiner. The Diocesan Audio-Visual Centre also produces cultural and educational programmes for broadcast on TV and for incorporation in DVDs for distribution. Other media activities are generally co-ordinated by the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office.

Muslim Community

There are about 220 000 Muslims in Hong Kong, of whom 30 000 are Chinese and 120 000 are Indonesians. The others are mostly non-Chinese born in Hong Kong. There are also Muslims from Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Middle Eastern and African countries.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a public charity, co-ordinates all of Hong Kong's Islamic religious activities. The trustees, nominated by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, the Pakistan Association, the Indian Muslim Association and the Anjumane Burhani Hong Kong Dawoodi Bohra Association, manage and maintain the masjids (mosques), two cemeteries and one kindergarten. In addition, the trustees organise Muslim festivals and other religious events, and certify the supply of acceptable religious 'halal' food in Hong Kong. Charity work carried out by members of the Muslim community includes providing financial aid to the needy, medical facilities and education assistance, and is done through different Muslim organisations.

The Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternity Association, established in 1922 in Wan Chai, is the major organisation representing Chinese Muslims in Hong Kong. Apart from carrying out religious activities, the association manages and maintains five non-profit educational facilities: one college, two primary schools and two kindergartens. The association also gives a helping hand to Chinese Muslims in Hong Kong and on the Mainland.

Five principal masjids are used for daily prayers, the oldest being the Jamia Masjid in Shelley Street on Hong Kong Island, which was built in 1849 and rebuilt in 1915 to make room for 400 worshippers.