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Religion and Custom

Sikhism

Hong Kong received its first Sikhs from Punjab, India, as part of the British Armed Forces in the 19th century. It was the Sikh members of the British Army Regiment stationed in the city who built the first Sikh temple, Siri Guru Singh Sabha, in 1901 at Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. The Siri Guru Singh Sabha was renamed Khalsa Diwan. The building was redeveloped in 1938 and further extended in the 1980s to meet the demands of the growing Sikh population. The present Sikh Temple is classified as a Grade II Historic Building and is managed by the Khalsa Diwan, a registered charitable organisation. Both Sikhs and non-Sikhs can make use of voluntary services offered at the temple, including the provision of langar (a free meal) and short-term accommodation for overseas visitors.

There are about 12,000 Sikhs in Hong Kong, according to the Khalsa Diwan. Followers of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji attend religious services at the temple every morning and evening. They also gather there on Sundays and the main Sikh holy days. Their most important religious dates are the birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the 10th Guru), and Vaisakhi (the birthday and baptism day of all Sikhs).

Judaism

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, Mid-Levels; 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 local Jewish people.

Ohel Leah Synagogue was built in 1901 on land given by Sir Jacob Sassoon and his family and includes a mikvah (ritual bath). Before this, a Jewish Cemetery was built in 1857 at Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley.

The site next to Ohel Leah houses a residential complex and the Jewish Community Centre. The centre offers its 400 member families from all three congregations supervised kosher dining and banqueting, cultural and recreational facilities, a fully kosher supermarket, a specialist library covering all aspects of Judaica, as well as activities and classes. It is the focal point of social and cultural life for local Jews. The community also operates the Carmel School and supplementary religious classes. There are several charity organisations and cultural societies, including the Jewish Women's Association, the United Israel Appeal, the Israeli Chamber of Commerce and the Jewish Historical Society, which all combine to create a vibrant Jewish community in Hong Kong.

Other Faiths

The Baha'i Faith and Zoroastrianism are among other religions that have been established in Hong Kong for many years.

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