Islam in Hong Kong

Jamia Mosque,the first mosque in Hong Kong

According to the 2016 census,Islamis practised by 4.1% of the population ofHong Kong,or about 300,000Muslims.Of this number, 50,000 are Chinese, 150,000 are Indonesians and 30,000 are Pakistanis, with the rest from other parts of the world.The vast majority of Muslims in Hong Kong areSunni.

About 12,000of the Muslim families in Hong Kong are 'local boy' families, Muslims of mixedChinese and South Asianancestry descended from early MuslimSouth Asian immigrantswho took local Chinese wives (Tanka people) and brought their children up as Muslims.HuiMuslims fromMainland Chinaalso played a role in the development of Islam in Hong Kong, such asKasim TuetfromGuangzhou,one of the pioneers of Muslim education in the city, for whom theIslamic Kasim Tuet Memorial Collegeis named.

In the new millennium, the largest number of Muslims in the territory areIndonesian,most of whom are femaleforeign domestic workers.They account for over 120,000 of Hong Kong's Muslim population.

History

The history of Muslims in Hong Kong started since theBritish Hong Konggovernment period. The first Muslim settlers in Hong Kong were ofIndian origin,in which some of them were soldiers. From the mid 19th century onwards, more and more soldiers and businessmen arrived in Hong Kong from South Asia and mainland China. As the number of them increased, the British Hong Kong government allocated land for them to build their communities and facilities, such as mosques and cemeteries. The British government respected the rights of those Muslim communities by giving them aid.

Chinese Muslimsfirst arrived in Hong Kong in the late 19th and early 20th century, coming from southern Chinese coastal areas, where they had lived for centuries prior. They established their community aroundWan Chai District(location of theWan Chai Mosque). Later Chinese Muslim influxes occurred following episodes of unrest on the mainland.Some Chinese are also more recent converts to Islam.As of 2004, the Chinese Muslims account for over 50% of the Muslim resident population of Hong Kong, and they play an important role in the Islamic organisations of Hong Kong.Hong Kong's Muslims have historically been treated as separate to Chinese Muslims in terms of Hajj arrangements.

Contemporary Islam

Food

Hong Kong Halal restaurant

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing number ofHalalrestaurants to cater for Muslim dietary needs, as well as supermarkets selling more and more Halal products. In 2010, there were only 14 Halal restaurants, but after a year the number had jumped three times.As of May 2018, there are 70 Halal-certified restaurants in the region.

Finance

There has been a plan byHSBCto implement theIslamic finance systemin Hong Kong, although the realisation has yet to be implemented. In 2007, theHK Islamic Indexwas established byArab Chamber of Commerce and Industryin Hong Kong to support Hong Kong's ambitions to develop into an Islamic financial centre. In the same year,Financial SecretaryJohn Tsangannounced a plan to capture part of the world's Islamic finance pie, which is worth around US$1.3 trillion.Hang Seng Bankhas issued a retail Islamic fund in November 2007.

Education

Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College

Islamic Dharwood Pau Memorial Primary School

Until January 2010, Hong Kong has 5 Islamic schools, scattered aroundHong Kong Island,KowloonandNew Territories.The development of those schools have been remarkably fast, which ranges from kindergartens, primary schools and colleges.

Some of the Islamic educational institutes:

• Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial CollegeinChai Wan,Hong Kong Island
• Islamic Dharwood Pau Memorial Primary School ( Islam bào bá đào kỷ niệm tiểu học ) inTsz Wan Shan,Kowloon
• Islamic Primary School ( Islam trường học ) inTuen Mun,New Territories
• UMAH International Primary School inYuen Long
• Islamic Abu Bakar Chui Memorial Kindergarten inShau Kei Wan
• Islamic Pok Oi Kindergarten inTsing Yi
• Muslim Community Kindergarten inWan Chai

There are also variousmadrasasthroughout the region.

Tourism

In 2018, Hong Kong made a partnership with the online travel platform Have Halal, Will Travel (HHWT) to showcase the Muslim-friendly side of the region.

Pilgrimage

Historically few numbers of Muslims performed the Hajj from Hong Kong. Those that did wish to perform the pilgrimage would join Hajj groups from Malaysia, the Indian subcontinent, or mainland China. Since the 1990s larger numbers of Muslims travel to Mecca directly from Hong Kong and the territory has its own small Hajj quota with Hajj visas awarded from the Saudi Embassy. PRC Muslims are not allowed to travel to Hong Kong for Hajj arrangements but Muslim foreign nationals living in China must make arrangements to travel either from their home country, or through Hong Kong.

Social challenges

Due to the limited lunch break time on Friday for working-class people in Hong Kong,Friday prayersare often held in a relatively short time. Muslims may also find difficulties in finding suitable place to pray at work or in school. Due to the absence of mosques inNew Territories,Muslims living there may find it hard to go to Hong Kong's current six mosques due to their location inKowloonorHong Kong Island.Some of them rent flats and turn them into prayer rooms to serve Muslims living around the area. There are currently eight flats in Hong Kong being turned into prayer rooms.

Mosques

Main article:List of mosques in Hong Kong

Muslim prayer section of multifaith prayer room atHong Kong International Airport

Kowloon Mosque,the largest mosque in Hong Kong

There are currently six principal mosques in Hong Kong that are used daily for prayers. Hong Kong's 7th mosque, theSheung Shui Mosqueis currently under development inNew Territories.

Jamia Mosque

The oldest is theJamia MosqueonHong Kong Island,which was built in the 1840s and rebuilt in 1915. The firstImamwas Al Haaj Abdul Habib Syed Mohammed Noor Shah, from 1914 to 1946. He travelled to Hong Kong with the British Army. He may also be the first Imam in the British Army.

Syed Mohammed Noor Shah had five sons (Syed Khalil Ullah Shah, Syed Ameen Ullah Shah, Syed Mohammad Rehmat Ullah Shah & Syed Hafiz Ullah Shah) and one daughter, Syeda Fatima who died in her childhood years. His oldest son, Syed Habib Ullah Shah was born in Hong Kong in 1933, January 13. He currently lives in London since 2001, with his youngest son, Sayid Mohammad Asif Ullah Shah.

Kowloon Mosque

TheKowloon MosqueinNathan Road,opened in 1984, can accommodate about 3,500 worshipers. It is the largest mosque in Hong Kong.

Ammar Mosque

TheAmmar MosqueatOi Kwan RoadinWan Chaiwas opened in September 1981 and can accommodate a congregation of 700 to 1,500 people, depending on the requirements.

Chai Wan Mosque

Chai Wan Mosqueis located at the Cape Collinson Muslim Cemetery.

Stanley Mosque

Stanley Mosqueis located in theStanley Prison.

Ibrahim Mosque

Ibrahim Mosquewas originally located inYau Ma Tei,and was opened in November 2013. By January 2020, it had been moved toMong Kok.

Beside mosques, there are many Muslim prayer halls scattered around Hong Kong, such as inHong Kong International Airport,City University of Hong Kongetc.

Organisations

Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong

Main article:Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong

Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong headquarter atAmmar Mosque

TheIncorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong(Chinese:Hong Kong hồi giáo ủy thác quỹ tổng hội) co-ordinates religious affairs and manages mosques and Muslim cemeteries in Hong Kong. The constituent bodies of the trustees are theIslamic Union of Hong Kong,thePakistan Association of Hong Kong,theIndian Muslim Association of Hong Kongand theHong Kong Dawoodi Bohra Association.Charitable work among the Muslim community, including financial aid to the needy, medical care, educational assistance, the provision of an Islamic kindergarten and assistance for the aged, is conducted through various Muslim organisations in Hong Kong. The organisation is based at theAmmar Mosque.

Islamic Union of Hong Kong

Main article:Islamic Union of Hong Kong

TheIslamic Union of Hong Kong(Chinese:Hong Kong Islam liên sẽ) is anIslamiccharitable and non-profit organisation inHong Kong.The headquarters of the union is at theAmmar Mosque.

Islamic Cultural Association (Hong Kong)

Main article:Islamic Cultural Association (Hong Kong)

TheIslamic Cultural Association (Hong Kong)(ICA;Chinese:Hong Kong Islam văn hóa hiệp hội;pinyin:Xiānggǎng Yīsīlán Wénhuà Xiéhuì;Cantonese Yale:Hēunggóng Yīsīlàahn Màhnfa Hihpwuih) was formed in 2004 and became a government-approved charitable institution. The association is devoted to the promotion ofIslamic culturewithQuranandSunnahas its core. To promote exchanges between Islamic culture and other cultures. To enhance research & development of Islamic education and Islamic culture.In 2009, they co-organised the International Conference on Transmission of Islamic Culture and Education in China “Trung Quốc Islam văn hóa cùng giáo dục truyền thừa” quốc tế hội thảo in co-operation with the centre for the Study of Religion and Chinese Society of theChinese University of Hong Kong'sChung Chi College. ICA's major scope of work includes academic research, education, culture and charity. Since 2009, the ICA has participated theHong Kong Book Fairorganised by theHong Kong Trade Development Council,one of Asia's largest book fair.

Hong Kong Islamic Youth Association

Main article:Hong Kong Islamic Youth Association

TheHong Kong Islamic Youth Association(HKIYA;Chinese:Hong Kong Islam thanh niên hiệp hội) is a charitable organisation founded in 1973. It has been organising recreational and educational activities for local Muslim youth. The association started the Online Video Channel (OVC) on itsYouTube channel (HKIYA1973)in 2012 which provides Da'wah (Islamic preaching) programs in Cantonese updated every week. The first locally developed smart phone App –"IslamHK"was launched on 21 August 2012 by HKIYA and this marked the milestone of modernIslamic preaching.The association is also based at theAmmar Mosque.

IFSA

TheIFSAis the first to organise Quranic competitions between Hong Kong boys and girls, and made Quranic awareness between Muslim youth as well as the whole community.

United Welfare Union Hong Kong Limited

Ibrahim Mosque

United Welfare Union Hong Kong Limitedmanages theIbrahim MosqueinMong Kokand two other centres at present. Based in Hong Kong and are registered as Charitable Organization by the Hong Kong Government since 2002, the organisation offers a variety of services. These include religious services, youth services, community support programmes, and many more.

Others

Source:

• Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association
• Hong Kong Chinese Islamic Federation
• Hong Kong Muslim Women Association
• International Islamic Society
• Khatme-Nubuwwat Movement Hong Kong
• Pakistan Welfare Islamic Union of Hong Kong
• Pakistan Traders Association (Hong Kong)
• Pakistani Students Association Hong Kong
• United Muslims Association of Hong Kong

Muslim cemeteries

Sign to Chai Wan Muslim Cemetery

Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery

There are two Muslim cemeteries in Hong Kong which are managed byIncorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong,which are:

Chai Wan Muslim Cemetery

The Chai Wan Muslim Cemetery or Cape Collinson Muslim Cemetery (Chinese:Ca liền thần góc nếp gấp não giáo bãi tha ma) is located inCape Collinson,Chai Wan.The cemetery was established in 1963 with its distinctive features of its lush green mountains in its surroundings and theChai Wan Mosque.The maintenance cost of the cemetery is borne by the trustees through burial fees. The maintenance works consist of cleaning and safeguarding the pathways, repairing and maintaining the cemetery slope and clearing natural vegetation when required. On 17 May 2010, the advisory board of Antiques and Monuments Office designated the cemetery asGrade 3 historic building.

Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery

The Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery is located inHappy Valley.According to the official data in theFood and Environmental Hygiene Department,the first burial at the cemetery was done in 1828. On 15 July 1870, a deed of appropriation was issued by theBritish Hong Konggovernment for the area around the present-day Happy Valley Muslim Cemetery to be used as burial ground for Muslims.

People

1. Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayaib Qasmi, an Islamic scholar who has lived in Hong Kong since 1989, served as a ChiefImamandKhatibofKowloon Mosque.He is currently running seven large Islamic Centres throughout Hong Kong, under the name of Khatme Nubuwwat Islamic Council, giving free after-schoolQuraniceducation to over 1,500 students, including adult students and young boys and girls, who study full-time in local schools in Hong Kong.
2. Mufti Muhammad Arshad, the current Chief Imam of the Kowloon Mosque and Hong Kong since 2001, has played a key role in fulfilling the needs of the Muslims in Hong Kong and has great influence among them.

See also

• List of mosques in Hong Kong
• Islam in Macau
• Islam in Sichuan
• Islam in Taiwan
• Islam in Tibet

External links

• islam.org.hk