Letters | Hong Kong welcomes Muslims, but let’s safeguard against extremism

Readers discuss the preciousness of the city’s unique social fabric, reuse plans for a hotel’s building materials, and Hongkong Post’s response to US policy

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Tourists visit The Peak on February 1. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 11:30am, 30 Apr 2025

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The government has been working to make Hong Kong more tourist-friendly, especially for visitors from Southeast Asia and investors from the Middle East. To foster inclusivity and become more Muslim-friendly, several initiatives have been undertaken. These include introducing more halal restaurants and organising the city’s first outdoor Halal Food Festival (“Hong Kong’s Muslims welcome Halal Food Festival as latest step towards inclusivity”, April 19).

Hong Kong has a Muslim population of only about 300,000, so awareness of Islam among the general population is relatively low. Yet religious freedom is not only a fundamental right but also a reality in the city.

Muslims, though a minority, are free to visit mosques, follow their customs and celebrate religious festivals. While these festivals might not have as high a profile here as in places like Singapore and Malaysia, they are celebrated meaningfully. Even though halal options have never been mainstream in Hong Kong, finding halal restaurants is not too difficult.

Amid global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, Hong Kong is sensibly diversifying its tourism, investment and business. The city’s outreach initiatives are small yet significant steps, though it remains to be seen how effective these efforts will be.

That said, a word of caution is necessary. Hong Kong has traditionally maintained a balance where religious freedom coexists with freedom from religious imposition. Extremist or fundamentalist ideas must not be allowed to take root, and all places of worship, regardless of size, should comply with government regulations. Hong Kong’s unique social fabric must be preserved.