Located
in the center of the
city, this grand Islamic
structure is a stark
contrast to the many
Chinese-style mosques in
Xi’an. This
yellow-and-white
structure has a central
dome and flanking
minarets, which usually
associated with mosques
in Pakistan or
Afghanistan.
Shakesimirzha, a ruler
of Kashgar, had the
mosque built here first
in1442 and it was
extended to its present
shape through several
renovation work.
The largest in China, it
attracts as many as
10,000 worshippers at
prayers on Friday
afternoon. The different
buildings consist of
Hall of Prayer,
Doctrine-Teaching Hall,
a gate tower, a pond and
some auxiliary rooms.
The gate is the most
eye-catching. On top of
the gate stand a tower
where the imam would
call out loudly at dawn
to wake up the Muslims
and summon them to
attend service. In the
tree-graced courtyard,
there is a pond, and on
its bank many pottery
pots are placed, which
are to be used by the
Islam believers to clean
their bodies. The main
hall was built of timber
framework with a
decorative wooden
ceiling. Exquisite
wooden carvings and
colored paintings reveal
the essence of
craftsmanship. The hall
is supported by 140
carved wooden pillars. A
stepped throne is
enshrined into the
central wall. During
service, the First Maola
leads the prayer in the
shrine. And on Fridays
or Corban, the First
Maola conducts "Wa’z",
standing on the steps of
the throne. After
entering the main hall,
the followers would seat
themselves facing west
both inside and out, in
proper lines.
The mosque is one of the
liveliest places to be
during the Korban
festivities. |