As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, Muslims in Hong Kong gather for their first iftar, or breaking of the fast, since 2019. This marks an important moment for the city’s Muslim community, who have faced various challenges over the past two years, including the pandemic and political unrest. Despite these obstacles, they have come together to observe this sacred tradition and reflect on the importance of faith, family, and community. This article explores the significance of Ramadan for Muslims in Hong Kong and how they have adapted to meet the unique circumstances of this year’s observance.
Hundreds of Hong Kong Muslims gathered for a special Ramadan iftar at the Kowloon Mosque’s main hall on Thursday. It was the first time in three years that the community was able to congregate for Ramadan due to COVID-19 restrictions. The mosque’s management members and volunteers started preparing for the iftar meal from 2 am for the approximately 1,700 worshippers who observed the first evening of Ramadan at Kowloon Mosque. The community was elated to be able to gather again, breaking their fast together.
One of the volunteers, KK Khan, a Hong Kong-born Pakistani, said, “I’m happy to see everyone back, that everything is back to what it was.” Khan was among the volunteers who came in early to prepare the iftar meal. “Some were cutting onions and tomatoes [for the haleem]. Others were packing and distributing,” he said.
Ramadan is the holy month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, dedicating their time to prayer, self-restraint, and good deeds. Yusuf Mansouri, a project manager at a bank, stated, “Ramadan is a month of togetherness and gathering. I really missed this.” The community missed the opportunity to congregate for Ramadan, and restrictions caused them to miss the meaning of the month even more.
According to the 2016 census, Islam is practiced by 4.1% of Hong Kong’s population, or about 300,000 Muslims. Of this number, 50,000 are Chinese, 150,000 are Indonesians, and 30,000 are Pakistanis, and the rest are from other parts of the world. The majority of Muslims in Hong Kong are Sunni.
The Kowloon Mosque was one of the first mosques established in Hong Kong in 1896, and it remains a vital institution for the local Muslim community. The mosque’s leaders have encouraged their congregants to take the COVID-19 vaccine and adhere to safety measures. The Kowloon Mosque had been closed for nearly a year and a half during the pandemic, and the reopening provided the Muslim community with a return to normalcy.
The mosque’s management members have reiterated the importance of safety measures and urged the community members to practice social distancing guidelines. The community was overjoyed to gather once again after a long hiatus. The celebration of Ramadan brought the community together and imparted a sense of belonging despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
In conclusion, the Kowloon Mosque’s reopening provided the Hong Kong Muslim community with the opportunity to celebrate Ramadan and gather again, breaking their fast together. The community’s safety was of utmost importance, and the mosque’s management members urged them to follow safety protocols. The community missed the opportunity to congregate for Ramadan, and the reopening of the mosque provided the community with a sense of normalcy and belonging.
