Millions of Muslims celebrate in China
Source: Xinhua |
September 1, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MILLIONS of Muslims across China yesterday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan - a season of fasting and spiritual reflection.
Early in the morning, Muslims from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as well as other Muslim-populated regions, donned festive outfits and packed local mosques.
About 5,000 Muslims went to the Yanghann Mosque in Xinjiang's capital of Urumqi to hear imams preach.
Zhu Hailun, Urumqi's top official, said the morning's services went off without a hitch, drawing tens of thousands of local residents. The worshippers later visited local cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives before returning home for family gatherings, he said.
Xinjiang has a population of more than 21 million people. More than half of the population are Muslims from 10 ethnic groups, including Uygur, Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Uzbek.
The local government declared yesterday a public holiday to give Muslims more time to attend religious services and visit relatives.
In a Muslim cemetery in the city of Artux, in Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, worshippers stood in silent tribute to their deceased relatives, recited verses from the Koran and sprinkled rice in front of tombstones in accordance with custom.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also joined millions of Chinese Muslims in celebrating Eid al-Fitr in China. He arrived in Urumqi on Tuesday to attend an international trade fair.
He offered his prayers at a temporary mosque set up in his hotel, officials said.
The holy month has been a boon for local businesses. In Urumqi's bazaars and supermarkets, worshipers purchased candles and sanza, a type of fried dough.
In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the regional government extended the public holiday to two days this year, giving Muslims four days to enjoy the festival.
Early in the morning, Muslims from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as well as other Muslim-populated regions, donned festive outfits and packed local mosques.
About 5,000 Muslims went to the Yanghann Mosque in Xinjiang's capital of Urumqi to hear imams preach.
Zhu Hailun, Urumqi's top official, said the morning's services went off without a hitch, drawing tens of thousands of local residents. The worshippers later visited local cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives before returning home for family gatherings, he said.
Xinjiang has a population of more than 21 million people. More than half of the population are Muslims from 10 ethnic groups, including Uygur, Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Uzbek.
The local government declared yesterday a public holiday to give Muslims more time to attend religious services and visit relatives.
In a Muslim cemetery in the city of Artux, in Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, worshippers stood in silent tribute to their deceased relatives, recited verses from the Koran and sprinkled rice in front of tombstones in accordance with custom.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also joined millions of Chinese Muslims in celebrating Eid al-Fitr in China. He arrived in Urumqi on Tuesday to attend an international trade fair.
He offered his prayers at a temporary mosque set up in his hotel, officials said.
The holy month has been a boon for local businesses. In Urumqi's bazaars and supermarkets, worshipers purchased candles and sanza, a type of fried dough.
In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the regional government extended the public holiday to two days this year, giving Muslims four days to enjoy the festival.
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