Rich in tradition

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the Tongxin Great Mosque in Wuzhong—about two hours drive south of yinchuan， the capital of northwest Chinas Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region—is a pearl of wellpreserved Islamic culture in China.

Built in the 14th century， the mosque is one of the oldest Muslim places of worship in the country. Its structure is reminiscent of typical Han Chinese buildings， except for the Islamic decorations—including the crescent moon on its top.

A screen stands in front of the main entrance， while the calligraphy of a Koran verse decorates the center of a brick wall. It reads：“And the places of worship are for God alone： so invoke not anyone along with God.”

Thick green curtains serve as the door to the main worship hall， which， according to mosque director Wang Fengyuan， can seat up to 1，000 people.

The wooden floor， funded by a Malaysian businessman in 2005， is entirely covered by carpets. Prayer beads are easily found under the ends of the rugs.

The mosque also provides headscarves for women entering the hall， where Muslims gather to study Islam and recite the Koran. Prominent Muslim scholars used to lecture here.

Wang said minority Hui Muslims can freely perform religious activities while enjoying privileges from Beijing， thanks in part to their support of the Communists in the 1930s.

Wang was referring to American journalist Edgar Snows influential book Red Star Over China， which records some of the interactions between Communist leaders and the minority Hui Muslims during the Long March.

In fact， the mosque was protected as a revolutionary historic site and was the only major Islamic building in Ningxia to survive destruction during the “cultural revolution” （1966-76）.

The Najiahu Grand Mosque in yongning county， north of yinchuan， is another witness of the long history of Islam in China. It was named after Nasruddin， a descendent of Ali and Fatima， the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

One of Nasruddins sons was said to have settled at the current site of the mosque in the 16th century. Almost all the residents of the village are Muslims； most carry the family name Na.

Ding yaoxian， the mosques administrative committee director， said the local government has allocated 10 million yuan（$1.6 million） for the mosques upkeep this year， including renovation to host fast-breaking meals during Ramadan.

The mosque is situated near the newly built China Hui Culture Park， where Hui culture and traditions are displayed and the history of Islam in China can be traced.

Islam is said to have spread to China along the Silk Road， which includes the current Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region， during the Tang Dynasty in the eighth century.

In September 2012， Chinas State Council approved the Ningxia Inland Opening Up Pilot Economic Zone and yinchuan Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

The former is billed as “Chinas strategic highland opening to the West， important energy and chemical industry base and major industrial cluster of halal food and Muslim commodity.”

The launch of the zones provides a new platform for China， Arab states and other Muslim regions to strengthen economic， trade and cultural exchange and cooperation， which in the end will hopefully improve the welfare of the local people.