Chinese Muslims mark Eid al-Fitr

[TaiShang]

Muslims leave Dongguan Mosque after gathering to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan at Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)


BEIJING, July 17 -- Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, on Friday.

Start of the Eid al-Fitr varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities. Northwest China's Qinghai and Gansu provinces started celebrating the festival on Friday while the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region will mark it on Saturday.

"It is auspicious that the Eid al-Fitr falls on the same day as Jumu'ah (Day of Assembly) when everybody goes to the mosque for the Friday prayer," said Ma Yun, a Hui minority and head of the Dongguan Mosque administration committee in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province.

"It was not until 9 p.m. on Thursday that we finally decided the Eid al-Fitr would fall on Friday this year," said Ma, adding that it was coincidence that Malaysian Muslims mark the festival on the same day.

Some 300,000 Muslims, most of whom are ethnic Hui minorities who hold Muslim belief, gathered around the Dongguan Mosque on Friday morning as early as 3 a.m. to reserve a place in the prayer hall.

Ma Jun, a snack shop owner, wearing a clean robe with a white hat, prayed in a queue of people that stretches as long as 5 kilometers outside the mosque, with the voice of Imams coming from a loudspeaker. The Arabic prayer goes first, followed by the Chinese version.

A middle-aged woman, who only gave her surname as Ma, is distributing cash to children at a crossroads outside the mosque. Within half an hour, 600 yuan (98 U.S. dollars) was handed out to 600 children.

"Whether they are ethnic Han or Tibetan, I just want them to be happy," said the woman.

In the neighbouring Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, where more than half of the 22 million population are Muslims, business is flourishing due to the celebrations.

Malik Nurlan, a Kazak young man, suffered arm pain after a whole day's meat chopping.

"Too many people are buying beef and mutton," said Nurlan, who sold 11 sheep and two cows in a single day.

With about 20 million Muslims in China, the event was also celebrated in other provinces or cities such as Gansu, Ningxia and Beijing.

In Ningxia, where most of the Hui minority lives, a five-day holiday will begin on Saturday. Highways and most scenic spots will be free of charge during the holiday.

"I will have a family reunion in the first two days and spend the rest days sightseeing with my kids," said Yang Li, a Muslim woman who works in a government department in the regional capital of Yinchuan.


Muslims gather to pray during the start of the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan at Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)


Muslims gather to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan at Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)


Muslims pray for celebrating the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan at Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)

Muslims gather to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan at Dongguan Mosque in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 17, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)

 

[aamerjamal]

does some of them actually wear Kutra Shalwar, or just something similar of there culture?

 

[Kompromat]

Eid Mubarik to all Chinese friends too.

 

[TaiShang]

Chinese Muslims mark end of holy month
Xinhua, July 18, 2015

Muslims pray in a mosque in Xi'an, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province on July 17, 2015. Chinese Muslims joined today the Eid al-Fitr festivity, marking the end of the month of Ramadan for Muslims across the world. (Photo/Xinhua)


Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, on Friday.

The start of the Eid al-Fitr varies based on the observation of the new moon by local religious authorities. Northwest China's Qinghai and Gansu provinces started celebrating the festival on Friday while the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region will mark it on Saturday.

"It is auspicious that the Eid al-Fitr falls on the same day as Jumu'ah (Day of Assembly) when everybody goes to the mosque for Friday prayers," said Ma Yun, a Hui minority and head of the Dongguan mosque administration committee in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province.

"It was not until 9 p.m. on Thursday we finally decided that Eid al-Fitr would fall on Friday this year," said Ma, adding that it was coincidence that Malaysian Muslims mark the festival on the same day.

Some 300,000 Muslims, most of whom are ethnic Hui, visited the Dongguan Mosque on Friday. Some came as early as 3 a.m. to reserve a place in the prayer hall.

Ma Jun, a snack shop owner, wearing a pristine robe and white hat, prayed in a queue of people that stretches as far as 5 kilometers outside the mosque, with the voices of Imams coming from loudspeakers. The Arabic prayer is first, followed by a Chinese version.

A middle-aged woman is distributing cash to children at a crossroads outside the mosque. Within half an hour, 600 yuan (98 U.S. dollars) was handed out to 600 children. "Whether they are ethnic Han or Tibetan, I just want them to be happy," said the woman.

In neighboring Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where more than half of the 22 million population are Muslims, business is flourishing due to the celebrations.

Malik Nurlan, a young Kazakh man, suffered pains in his arm after a whole day chopping meat.

"So many people are buying beef and mutton!" said Nurlan, who sold 11 sheep and two cows in a single day.

With about 20 million Muslims in China, the event is also celebrated in other provinces or cities such as Gansu, Ningxia and Beijing.

Thousands of Muslims went to Niujie Mosque in downtown Beijing on Friday afternoon. Tens of thousands more will come on Saturday when Eid al-Fitr formally falls in the capital, said Chang Chongyu, head of the mosque administration office.

In Ningxia, where most of the Hui minority lives, a five-day holiday will begin on Saturday. Highways and most scenic spots will be free of charge during the holiday.

"I will have a family get-together in the first two days and spend the other days sightseeing with my kids," said Yang Li, who works in a government department in the regional capital of Yinchuan.

CHANGES in CELEBRATIONS

For Ma Jinliang, a cycling enthusiast in Ningxia, this year's end of Ramadan is quite special.

"It is remarkable that the final of the 14th Tour of Qinghai Lake Cycling Race coincides with Eid al-Fitr, which falls on Saturday in Ningxia," said Ma, who will watch the race in Zhongwei City.

The 2,940-km race, the top cycling competition in China with a total prize of 1 million U.S. dollars, traverses Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia, where the majority of China's Muslims live. It will end on Saturday in Yinchuan.

"Feeding ourselves is not a problem for us any more," said Ma, who cycles in the suburbs every weekend. "We focus more on improving quality of life with more people joining sports clubs or going to the gym."

Ye Jianguo, 80, a villager from Maying Township in neighboring Qinghai Province, is impressed by the changes to the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in recent years.

"Before 1980, most of us were struggling in poverty," said Ye, who had to cut a piece of brick tea into four parts in order to present them as gifts when visiting relatives and friends.

In the 1980s, Ye only need to cut the tea into two parts as crop output improved. In the 1990s, families not only had enough brick tea, but also could afford to buy tea with crystal sugar and longan, he said.

For this year's celebration, Ye bought a sheep, eight chickens, 25 kg of oil to cook fried snacks and a full table of milk and drinks.

"Five bags of flour are consumed in my shop every day and I have a daily net profit of more than 300 yuan (49 U.S. dollars)," said Ye, who runs a bread shop in the town.

In Kashgar, the westernmost city of China where sporadic terrorist attacks have dampened tourism, Memtimin Haji hopes for more visitors.

After attending Jumu'ah prayers at the Etgal Mosque on Friday afternoon, he rushed back to his souvenir shop close by.

"Business is a bit better on Friday when people gather at the mosque for prayers," he said.

 

[rott]

Eid Mubarik to all Chinese friends too.

I ain't a Muslim. But yes Eid Mubarik to you and all Muslim members.

 

[waz]

Eid mubarak to my brothers in China. Keep working for the betterment of your motherland.

 

[Aepsilons]

Eid Mubarak !!! Allahu Akbar!

 

[Hyde]

Eid Mubarak to my Chinese brothers and sisters

 

[TaiShang]

Muslims across China celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Xinhua, July 19, 2015

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Chinese Muslims leave after attending prayer session on Eid al-Fitr at the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims pose for a group photo on Eid al-Fitr at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims pray on Eid al-Fitr at the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims pray on Eid al-Fitr at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims greet each other after attending prayer session on Eid al-Fitr at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims leave after attending prayer session on Eid al-Fitr at the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Chinese Muslims purchase food on Eid al-Fitr outside the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

 

[TaiShang]

​

Muslims pray on Eid al-Fitr at the Nanguan Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[Xinhua]

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Muslims pray at the Nanguan Mosque on Eid al-Fitr in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[Xinhua]

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Muslims eat Hami melons outside the Nanguan Mosque on Eid al-Fitr in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Muslims pose for a group photo as they attend prayer session on Eid al-Fitr at the Xincheng Mosque in Yinchuan City, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.[Xinhua]

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A Muslim family celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Pingliang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua

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Muslims pray on Eid al-Fitr at the Sishilipu Mosque in Pingliang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Muslims pray on Eid al-Fitr at the Sishilipu Mosque in Pingliang City, northwest China's Gansu Province, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

 

[TaiShang]

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A family gather to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr in Bulakbexi Village of Pixna Township of earthquake-hit Pishan County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Pishan County on July 3. [Xinhua]

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A Muslim family gather to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr at a temporary shelter in earthquake-hit Pishan County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Pishan County on July 3. [Xinhua]

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Muslims perform to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr at a temporary shelter in earthquake-hit Hotian County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Pishan County on July 3. [Xinhua]

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Muslims eat a meal on Eid al-Fitr at a temporary shelter in Pixna Township of earthquake-hit Pishan County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2015. Millions of Muslims across China began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. A 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Pishan County on July 3. [Xinhua]

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Muslims prepare to pray at the Ox Street Mosque in Beijing, China, July 18, 2015. Muslims in Beijing on Saturday celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Muslims go to the Ox Street Mosque in Beijing, China, July 18, 2015. Muslims in Beijing on Saturday celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

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Muslims select the snack at a market near the Ox Street in Beijing, China, July 18, 2015. Muslims in Beijing on Saturday celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

Muslims prepare to pray at the Ox Street Mosque in Beijing, China, July 18, 2015. Muslims in Beijing on Saturday celebrated the Eid al-Fitr festival which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. [Xinhua]

 

[TaiShang]

Urumqi's Muslims celebrate Lesser Bairam
2015-7-19 0:01:46

• To celebrate the Lesser Bairam Festival, over 3,000 Muslims gather for prayer in a square in front of the Khan Tenqri Temple in Urumqi, capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on July 18, 2015. Photo: Cui Meng/GT
  

A young man prepares barbecued skewers, one of the most representative dishes of Uyghur cuisine, in Urumqi on July 18, 2015. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A young man cuts a leg of mutton at a stall in Urumqi on July 18, 2015. On the day of the Lesser Bairam Festival, Muslims indulge in delicious foods to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Photo: Cui Meng/G

Xinjiang rice pilaf is a standard dish in Uyghur cuisine and common at many restaurants in Xinjiang. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A roast meat vendor keeps busy during the festival, where fresh roasted chicken is always on order. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

A baker prepares naan, a flatbread that is a traditional staple of Uyghur cuisine on July 18, 2015. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

 

[Aepsilons]

MashaAllah!!! Wonderful pictures @TaiShang !!

 

[TaiShang]

Xinjiang imam enjoys modern life
| 2015-07-16

Muslims walk out of the White Mosque after Eid prayer in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua File Photo/Sadat)

URUMQI, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Yang Jie, 48-year-old imam of a Xinjiang mosque, was the first to use a mobile phone, the first to buy a car and the first to invest in the stock market in his village

"Traditional Muslims can also enjoy a modern life," said the ethnic Hui in Sangonghu village in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Whenever new things appear, they stir a lot of discussion among his villagers. They ask questions like "Can imams use mobile phones?" or "Can Muslims buy shares?"

"Nowadays, you cannot do without a mobile phone. You cannot even contact me without it." Yang often tempers his answer with humor. Recently, he began to use WeChat, an instant messenger, to contact followers and help them in their day-to-day lives.

A villager in their WeChat group found it difficult to sell his tractor. Yang spread the word via WeChat and helped find a buyer the next day.

Yang is one of the richer farmers in the village, growing and selling vegetables. He bought a mobile phone in 1998 and later a car. He likes to teach his congregation in simply language. During Ramadan, he works in the early morning and then goes to the mosque for prayer with dozens of followers.

Islam upholds science and is against wrongdoing, superstition, ignorance and violence, he said, adding that a basic requirement of the fasting and prayers during Ramadan is self-reflection.

Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, falls on Saturday.

"With improved living conditions, people prepare better food and wear smart clothes for the event. The atmosphere is increasingly festive," said Yang.

 

[rott]

@TaiShang, are they Han Chinese?
I was wondering if they eat pork.