DDHK News, China - Xian is the capital city of Shaaxi Province. The city, which was known as Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty, is known to the world as a place for archaeological discoveries of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.
Xian is currently home to over 5 million inhabitants. About 60 thousand of them are Muslims.
For Muslims, Xian is part of the history of the development of world Islam. It was in this city that Islam first entered China through Xian brought by Arab traders in 651 BC during the Tang Dynasty.
Xian is the starting point of the very famous Silk Road route. This silk route was traversed by Arab and Persian traders in 1.000 years ago or since 206 BC since the Han Dynasty.
At that time many traders and students from Arabia and Persia went to Xian. Apart from trading, they also learned about various sciences that developed rapidly in China at that time. People from Arabia are called by local people as Hui people.
Generation after generation until now Muslims in Xian continue to grow to reach more than 60.000 thousand with seven large mosques.
Xian Grand Mosque
The Great Xian Mosque is located in the middle of the city close to the landmark City Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, and is within the ancient City Wall walls that surround the center of Xian City. This mosque was built in 742 BC during the Tang Dynasty.
Entering this mosque, I feel back in the medieval era. Ancient architecture, calligraphy, and even Ming and Qing dynasties are on display here. The mosque clerk was very friendly, especially when he found out that I was a Muslim from Aceh, so that entry tickets were free and could enter all maajid areas.
For non-Muslims who wish to enter the mosque, they must pay an entrance ticket of 15 yuan.
The mosque, which is an ancient building, is a witness to the history of the development of Islam in China. This mosque can accommodate more than a thousand worshipers. Around the mosque area there is a street known as Moslem Street which is very busy with street food and restaurants. This area is also shady and scenic with trees, so it is a destination for local and foreign tourists.
Apart from Xian there are also old mosques in Guangzhou, Quanzhou, and Yangchou. The mosque in Guangzhou is believed to have been built by the Prophet Muhammad's uncle, namely Saad ibnu Abi Waqqas. (Sumber: Indonesian Porch). *
