Beijing's Oldest Mosque Attracts Worldwide Visitors...

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 Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri 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 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 yesterday.