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Religion and Custom

its affiliated organisations such as the Hong Kong Christian Service, United Christian Medical Service, Christian Family Service Centre, and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.

Roman Catholic Community

The Roman Catholic Church in Hong Kong was established as a mission prefecture in 1841, became a vicariate apostolic in 1874, and a diocese in 1946. There are about 368,000 Catholics in Hong Kong served by 306 priests, 75 brothers and 481 sisters. There are 51 parishes, comprising 40 churches, 31 chapels and 26 halls for religious services conducted in Cantonese; three-fifths of the parishes also provide services in English and, in some cases, Tagalog, the Filipino language.

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 273 Catholic schools and kindergartens catering to about 174,000 pupils. The schools are assisted by the Catholic Education Office. Medical and social services are provided to at least six hospitals, 13 clinics, 41 social and family service centres, 25 hostels, 16 homes for the aged, 27 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, whether or not they are Catholic.

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.

Islam

There are an estimated 300,000 Muslims in Hong Kong. They include 40,000 Chinese, 150,000 Indonesians and 30,000 Pakistanis, and there are others from India, Malaysia, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a charitable organisation, co-ordinates all 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 five masajid (mosques), two cemeteries and one kindergarten. In addition, the trustees prepare the Islamic calendar for the Muslim community and organise the celebration of Muslim festivals and other religious events. The trustees also carry out inspections and issue certificates for the supply of 'halal' food in Hong Kong and some parts of China. The Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association, established in 1922 in Wan Chai, is the major organisation representing Chinese Muslims in Hong Kong. Apart from carrying out religious and charitable activities, the association manages and maintains a college, two primary schools and two kindergartens.

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