BEIJING'S OLDEST MOSQUE ATTRACTS WORLDWIDE VISITORS

From Ahmad Zukiman Zain


BEIJING, March 29 (Bernama) –- Wearing a songkok from Malaysia, the imam of
Beijing’s oldest and largest mosque happily ushered visitors into the mosque
compound.

Sixty-two-year-old Taudin Baiyuchin said Muslims from all over the world
visit the mosque which covers 10,000 sq metres and represents a mixture of
Islamic and Chinese cultures.

Halal food eateries and supermarket are easily available in the area.

"I'm very happy to see Muslims from all over the world coming to this
mosque…all Muslims are brothers," he said as he held an A-4 size note book
containing comments from visitors from all over.

"This songkok is a gift from a visitor from Malaysia," he said smiling.

Built in 996, the Niujie Mosque is located in Beijing's Xuanwu district,
the largest area inhabited by Muslims in this capital which has transformed
itself into a modern, vibrant city.

Taudin, who has been an imam at the mosque for 10 years, said he remembered
former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Najib Tun Razak,
before he became prime minister, visiting the mosque.

"Malaysians are warm-hearted people, friendly, and the country is
beautiful...I’ve seen this from photos but I would want to go there if I have
the chance," he said.

The Chinese government has funded several projects for the refurbishment of
the mosque, described as one of the most famous mosques in the world, since
1949.

In 2005, the Government provided 25 million Yuan (US$3.6 million) for its
expansion and refurbishment –- the largest construction project so far -–
including rebuilding
of the Women’s Hall.


The imam of Ningxia Province, Ding Guobao, 42, who was at the mosque last
Friday, said Muslim visitors to China would be interested to visit his northwest
province which had among the largest Muslim populations in the country.

"We have a population of over two million Muslims, a lot of mosques and
halal food restaurants.

"We are also known for our sinseh and calligraphy," said Ding, who was on
his way to an Islamic meeting in Egypt.

A group of Malaysian students taking Mandarin at the Beijing Foreign Studies
University and a visiting group of airport staff from Penang were among those
who performed Friday prayers at the mosque last week.

-- BERNAMA




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