The story of Indian Muslims in Hong Kong begins on 26 January 1841, when the first contingent of Indian troops arrived at Possession Point. Among them were devout Muslim soldiers and traders from North-West and South India, whose faith and resilience soon shaped a new spiritual footprint in the colony.
Settling near Possession Point, particularly along Lascar Row, early Indian Muslims would gather in open spaces for Friday prayers — undeterred by Hong Kong’s changing weather. Their dedication to prayer and unity led to a landmark achievement: on 3 December 1849, the community received a 999-year lease for a plot at 30 Shelley Street to build a permanent mosque.
Completed around 1890 through collective donations, the Shelley Street Mosque became a sanctuary of faith and community. It was later expanded in 1911 with generous support from a merchant from Bombay, standing today as a symbol of endurance and shared devotion.
Following the Treaty of Nanjing (1842) and the British cession of Kowloon, Indian Muslim servicemen stationed at Whitfield Barracks established a prayer ground that led to the construction of the Kowloon Mosque in 1896.
By the end of World War I, both the Shelley Street Mosque and the Muslim cemetery at Happy Valley came under formal administration in 1917, managed by representatives from the Islamic Union and Shia Association.
During the Japanese occupation in World War II, this governance structure was replaced by an administrator appointed by the occupying forces. However, after liberation in 1945, an interim committee was formed on 17 June 1947 to manage the Muslim Trust. For the first time, Chinese Muslim representatives joined the council — reflecting the evolving diversity and unity of Hong Kong’s Muslim population.
The aftermath of the Partition of India and shifting demographics after the war brought new challenges. As Muslim troops left Whitfield Barracks, the Kowloon Mosque fell into disrepair by the early 1960s.
Meanwhile, a new wave of Indian Muslim entrepreneurs — primarily gem merchants trading across India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and Burma (Myanmar) — arrived in Hong Kong. Initially residing on Hong Kong Island and later in Tsim Sha Tsui, they rejuvenated the Kowloon Mosque and revitalized the local community.
Despite their growing numbers, Indian Muslims still lacked formal representation in Islamic affairs. The absence of clear title deeds for the Kowloon Mosque led to administrative challenges with the Urban Council and Royal Hong Kong Police Force. The need for an organized body to represent Indian Muslims became increasingly urgent.
In 1979, under the visionary leadership of Alhaj B.S. Abdul Rahman, the Indian Muslim Association (IMA) was officially established. It sought to address the community’s distinct national, linguistic, and cultural identity within Hong Kong’s broader Muslim landscape.
Through tireless effort and negotiation, IMA secured admission to the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, ensuring rightful representation and a collective voice for Indian Muslims.
The community played a central role in the reconstruction of the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre:
6 of 15 members of the Reconstruction Committee were Indian Muslims.
3 of 10 members of the Fund-Raising Committee were from the community.
The mosque’s design was led by renowned Indian architect Qadiri of Mumbai.
A commemorative plaque in the mosque’s foyer still bears witness to the generosity and dedication of Indian Muslims — a proud testament to faith, unity, and service.
From those early gatherings at Possession Point to today’s vibrant network of families, youth, and professionals, the journey of Indian Muslims in Hong Kong continues. Guided by the light of Islam, strengthened by community spirit, and inspired by a legacy of service — IMA stands as a living bridge between faith, heritage, and the future.
