Nurturing Cultural Literacy for the 21st Century: Reflections and Visions
10th Anniversary Celebration Forum of the Centre for the Study of Islamic Culture

The Centre for the Study of Islamic Culture (CSIC) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) joyfully celebrated its 10th anniversary with a forum on 28 October 2025. This milestone event, themed “Islamic Culture: An Essential Element of 21st-Century HK Society’s Cultural Literacy,” drew more than 150 distinguished guests from diverse sectors, including CUHK professors and directors, government officials, diplomatic representatives from Muslim countries, dignitaries in business, education and cultural circles, as well as leaders of the local Muslim community. The forum attracted coverage from the local media, with an article published in The Standard.

In his opening remarks, Professor James Frankel, Director of CSIC, reflected on the Centre’s past decade of achievements while addressing challenges in promoting inclusivity and raising societal awareness of Islamic culture. He highlighted the pressing need for deeper community education and engagement, especially as the government actively promotes Hong Kong as an attractive destination for Muslim travellers and advances the development of Islamic finance. Calling for stronger unity and collaboration across sectors, he urged collective efforts to pool resources and wider acknowledgement of Muslim contributions.

Guests of Honours - Professor Isabella Poon, Provost of CUHK, and Mr. Joseph H.L. Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government, delivered warm congratulatory messages and visions of a shared future. Professor Poon praised the Centre’s pivotal role in advancing Islamic studies and promoting diversity on campus and beyond. In a similarly affirming address, Mr. Chan commended the Centre, stressing its alignment with Hong Kong’s aspirations to be Muslim-friendly. “We will continue to work hand-in-hand with institutions like the Centre to promote Islamic finance and strengthen ties with Muslim-majority regions,” he said.

Professor James Frankel, Director of CSIC.

Professor Isabella Poon, Provost of CUHK.

Mr. Joesph H.L. Chan, JP, Under Secretary of Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government.

The programme featured three talks delivered by CUHK scholars ［Click here to watch on Youtube］：

- Professor James Frankel, from the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies and Director of CSIC, on “Islam in China,” tracing historical trajectories of Muslim presence across China while highlighting the contemporary relevance of diverse Muslim populations in Hong Kong;

- Professor Lawal M. Marafa, from the Department of Geography and Resource Management and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, on “Islamic Culture and Halal Tourism in Hong Kong,” discussing opportunities for sustainable and inclusive tourism;

- Professor Terence T.L. Chong, from the Department of Economics and Executive Director of the Lau Chor Tak Institute of Global Economics and Finance, on “Islamic Culture and Finance in Hong Kong,” examining ethical finance principles and strategies to position the city as a regional hub for Islamic finance.

The event concluded with a lively discussion session and a halal tea reception, where guests enjoyed an array of authentic halal Hong Kong delicacies, such as wife cakes and egg tarts, amid friendly conversations.

Each guest left with a smile and a specially curated souvenir pack in hand - the star of which was the newly published 10th Anniversary Retrospective of CSIC, a heartfelt chronicle for the Centre’s decade-long journey, expressing gratitude to past partners and outlining visions for the future. Also making its debut was the very first printed map of mosques across the Greater Bay Area. The map, which is marked with a significant number of mosques, testifies to the extensive network of trust and friendship CSIC has nurtured over the years. The thriving Muslim presence it reveals adds to the established reasons for deepening community engagement and underscores why learning about Islamic culture is more important than ever.

CSIC proudly presents the first-ever Map of Mosques in the Greater Bay Area.

Reflecting on a decade of pioneering research, educational initiatives, and community outreach, CSIC reaffirms that Islamic culture is an indispensable component of 21st-century cultural literacy. The Centre remains steadfast in its mission to promote intercultural exchanges and scholarly discourse on Islamic heritage, looking forward to continued collaborations that illuminate this vital dimension of global citizenship.

LINKS
Watch the three talks here: [CSIC Official Youtube]
Read the 10th Anniversary Retrospective here：[View Online / PDF Download]
Read The Standard’s Article here: [News article]

SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
If you wish to support our continuing efforts to advance the understanding of Islamic culture and enrich Hong Kong’s multicultural landscape, we warmly welcome your generous donation and contribution.
For enquiries, please contact us at 3943 9580 or csic@cuhk.edu.hk.

Guest of Honours pose for a group photo (from left to right):

Prof. Lawal M. Marafa (Speaker) // Professor Terence T.L. Chong (Speaker) // Justice Syed Kemal Shah Bokhary // Mrs. Bokhary // His Excellency Mr. Shaikh Riaz Ahmed (Consul General of Pakistan in HK) // Prof. Lai Pan Chiu // Mr. Tuet Sui Hong Ali (Chairman of the Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association) // His Excellency Mr. Naser S A SH Alghanim (Consul General of Kuwait in HK) // Imam Mohammad Noorudin Yang (Founder and Chairman of Islamic Cultural Association [Hong Kong]) // Ms. Alotaibi (Representative of the Deputy Consul General of Saudi Arabia in HK) // Prof. Isabella Poon (Provost of CUHK) // Prof. James Frankel (Director of CSIC) // Mr. Jospeh H.L. Chan, JP (Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR Government) // His Excellency Mr. Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur (Consul General of Bangladesh in HK) // Mr. Clemens Triaji Bektikusuma (Consul for Information and Socio-cultural Affairs of Indonesia in HK) // Prof. Tam Wai Lun // Mr. Nicholas Kwan (Deputy Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government) // Ms. Hanan Chiang (Representative of the Consul General of UAE in HK).

Professor Terence T.L. Chong delivers his presentation on “Islamic Culture and Finance in Hong Kong”.

Professor Lawal M. Marafa delivers his presentation on “Islamic Culture and Halal Tourism in Hong Kong”.

The three speakers respond to questions and opinions from the floor during the concluding session.

Guests enjoy egg tarts, wife cakes, and other halal Hong Kong pastries at the tea reception.

Event Poster