Islam

Mosque (Gonghe Lu)

Crescent moon mailbox in the mosque's courtyard.
Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Gonghe Lu)

The mosque's schedule on display shows an idiosyncratic use of '9's in the timing of worship services (whereas the other two schedules discussed used '5's and '10's).
Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Gonghe Lu)

The interior of the 'temple style' mosque shown in DSCN0557. In the background are the mosque's ablution facilities, while the foreground is notable for the pristine condition of the flooring. In the far background the apartment buildings show how embedded this mosque is in the urban environment of Ba Yi Lu. I wondered whether there were any proscriptions in Islam against people being able to look down into a mosque's courtyard.
Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Gonghe Lu)

Inside the mosque a lone man prays, evidently having missed (or avoided) the community worship session. According to the schedule in DSCN0946 to have caught the next meeting he would have needed to stay until 6:15pm (photo taken at 2:29pm).
Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

As one leaves Dongguan's courtyard they are met by this large Arabic installment. Although I remain unsure of its author, we can ascertain its completion date- from DSCN0942. This fits with the founding dates on many of Xining's other mosques, all of which fall roughly. This sign gives one of the earliest dates I have seen on a mosque, leading me to believe that perhaps Dongguan led the way for a revival of Islam in Xining in the past decade.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

As one leaves Dongguan's courtyard they are met by this large Arabic installment. Although I remain unsure of its author, we can ascertain its completion date- from DSCN0942. This fits with the founding dates on many of Xining's other mosques, all of which fall roughly. This sign gives one of the earliest dates I have seen on a mosque, leading me to believe that perhaps Dongguan led the way for a revival of Islam in Xining in the past decade.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

An inscription on the backside of 'Middle Five Gate'.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

Calligraphic script visible above an arch as one leaves the mosque. The small light above should not be mistaken for a surveillance camera.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

One of the three main buildings inside the courtyard of Dongngan Mosque. To one's centre, right, and left, respectively when standing at the 'Middle Five Gate'. These appeared to be in more frequent use by visiting worshippers than the domed structure one initially passes through to access the courtyard.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito

Mosque (Dong Guan) - Grounds

One of the three main buildings inside the courtyard of Dongngan Mosque. To one's centre, right, and left, respectively when standing at the 'Middle Five Gate'. These appeared to be in more frequent use by visiting worshippers than the domed structure one initially passes through to access the courtyard.

Photographer: 
Matt Zito