Visiting Kowloon Mosque

Islam is one of the major religions in Hong Kong. The five mosques here provide venues for prayer and religious services for the 270 000 Muslims in the territory, which include local Chinese as well as people from ethnic minorities, including those from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, the Middle East and other places.

Established over a century ago, the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui is the biggest mosque in Hong Kong and a religious landmark in the heart of the city. At the invitation of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, I visited the mosque this afternoon.

Filled with a solemn atmosphere, the imposing mosque houses a number of prayer halls, a community hall and a library, and can accommodate over 3 000 worshippers. Lectures are conducted there from time to time to promote Islamic culture. During the visit, I talked with the Fund’s representatives to learn about their networking efforts with Muslims and the life of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, in particular the challenges they face in education and employment.

The Government pays great attention to the needs of ethnic minorities. We will continue to enhance the support for them so that they can integrate into the local community and see Hong Kong as their home.

Indeed, Hong Kong is our home. All 7 million people in Hong Kong, including the ethnic minorities, are one big family. It is exactly our ability to accommodate and respect different cultures and religions that has made Hong Kong Asia’s world city. All people, regardless of race and background, can give full play to their talents here in Hong Kong.

I must thank the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong and other religious bodies for their provision of quality education, welfare and other services and their valuable contributions to Hong Kong’s social development over the years. The Government will continue to communicate with local religious bodies and support their work in Hong Kong.

November 15, 2013