Sunday, January 23, 2011

Great Mosque of Xi'an


( A Chinese pavilion instead of a minaret at the Great Mosque of Xi'an, one of China's largest mosques)
Although remains date mostly from the 18th century, the Mosque was founded in 742

The Great Mosque of Xi'an (simplified Chinese: 西安大清真寺; traditional Chinese: 西安大清真寺; pinyin: Xī’ān Dà Qīngzhēnsì; Xiao'erjing: ثِ ’ءًا دَا شٍ جٌ سِ), located near the Drum Tower (Gu Lou) on 30 Huajue Lane of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, is the oldest and one of the most renowned mosques in the country founded in 742.

It was built and renovated in later periods (especially during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty). It remains a popular tourist site of Xi'an, and is still used by Chinese Muslims (mainly the Hui people) today as a place of worship. Unlike most mosques in Middle Eastern or Arab countries, the Great Mosque of Xi'an is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some Arabic lettering and decorations, for the mosque has neither domes nor traditional-style minarets.








( Wahbi Al-Hariri's graphite drawing of the Great Mosque of Xian, A Chinese pavilion instead of a minaret at the Great Mosque of Xi'an, one of China's largest mosques)



(Entrance to the prayer hall)

 

(Calligraphy on a plaque in the Great Mosque of Xi'an)



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