ARSHAD MUHAMMAD

Chief Imam Hong Kong Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre

Professional Experience:

As Chief Imam, Arshad is a notable leader within, and senior representative of, Hong Kong’s Muslim community. His responsibilities are wide-ranging and include: managing the staff at five mosques in the city, leading daily prayers and all prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, speaking on behalf of the community in the local media, delivering lectures on Islamic studies in Hong Kong and abroad, officiating marriages, participating in academic and religious exchanges, and hosting local and overseas government and religious officials.

In addition to his teachings on Islam and his passion for promoting interfaith understanding, he teaches Urdu and Arabic at Hong Kong Baptist University – courses that he designed.

He is an active ambassador for Hong Kong. As a participant in international conferences, he regularly promotes the city as a harmonious and tolerant society.

Arshad is a recipient of a number of awards and recognitions for his contributions to Hong Kong and to Islam, including Peace Ambassador, being named one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, and being awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by Hong Kong Police.

Voluntary Contributions to Hong Kong:

• Active interfaith speaker, 2001-2018.

• The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, 2001-2018.

• Member and speaker of “Hong Kong Network for Religion and Peace,” 2001.

• Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents (CHEER), 2017.

Quote from Spencer Stuart Hong Kong:

As the Chief Imam of Hong Kong, Mr Muhammad has played a critical role in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding in Hong Kong over the past 17 years. He works tirelessly with NGOs to support minority communities, and actively engages with Hong Kong schools, universities, and other local institutions. Mr Muhammad has also made broader contributions to Hong Kong. These have included establishing Arabic and Urdu programmes at Baptist University, where he continues to teach, and advising LegCo on Islamic Finance legislation and regulation.

Ethnicity:

Gender: Female

No. of years in Hong Kong: 7.5

Cantonese Speaking: