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Religion and Custom

first Sikh temple, Sri Guru Singh Sabha, at Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. This temple was later renamed Khalsa Diwan Hong Kong Sikh Temple, redeveloped in 1938 and further extended in the 1980s to serve the growing Sikh population. The old building was pulled down in 2018, while an extension block built in 2008 remains in use. A new four-storey temple (estimated for completion by late 2021) is under construction with two prayer halls, a free kitchen and dining room, private function rooms, seminar halls, a digital library, a car park and other facilities.

The Khalsa Diwan, a registered charitable organisation that manages the temple, offers voluntary services for Sikhs and non-Sikhs, including the provision of langar (a free meal) and short-term accommodation for overseas visitors.

The Khalsa Diwan estimates Hong Kong has about 12,000 Sikhs. Followers of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji attend religious services at the temple every morning and evening, and 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 and cultural organisations, including the Jewish Women's Association, United Israel Appeal, Israeli Chamber of Commerce and 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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