China’s 1,400-year-old mosque manifests plurality

A mosque that is believed to have been built over 1,400 years ago in China’s Guangzhou province is standing as a testimony of the nation’s plurality and mutual understanding between various classes and sects of the society.
The mosque, which can host more than 5,000 believers for prayers, was built by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas who was a companion of Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon him) who introduced Islam to China and is now fast becoming a major site of pilgrimage.
The historic mosque and tomb of Saad bin Abi Waqqas, also known as Xinjiang Mosque, is an iconic Islamic landmark amid a leafy, tranquil garden park and is hosting tourists from across the continents on a daily basis with Friday being the busiest day.
Located in the vast and serene gardens of Yuexiu District, this mosque features a prayer hall, the tomb of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, a beautiful pathway surrounded by indigenous plants and flowers. It also has a 14-century-old well, and serves as a peaceful spot with traditional Chinese and Islamic architectural elements
“The Saad bin Abi Waqqas, also known as Xinjiang Mosque is a key religious site which is an accessible site for Muslims and thousands of people from across the world assemble here daily with a massive crowd visiting the mosque to offer Juma prayers on Friday,” said a representative from the Chinese diplomatic mission in Muscat.
While traditionally associated with the 7th-century companion of the Prophet Muhammad, it serves as an active place of worship and a significant pilgrimage site for believers from across the world.
“The mosque and tomb are considered to be a significant pilgrimage site and people recite the Holy Qur'an here besides people from across the world stand in unison offering prayers in the vast main area for prayers,” adds Shamsudheen Kunjiparambath, a long-time china resident in Guangzhou, who added that the mosque and the surroundings are a rendezvous for people to touch base very often.
In China, there were approximately 39,135 registered mosques, according to statistics. While older data cited over 24,000 mosques in Xinjiang alone, there are roughly 70 mosques in Beijing. Recent studies suggest thousands have been altered or renovated since 2018 as part of government policy, though many remain functional in diverse regions.
The majority of mosques are located in Xinjiang, Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai while Xinjiang boasts of the highest density, with roughly 24,100 mosques, often cited as one mosque per 530 Muslims. The mosques in China combine traditional Islamic features with Chinese architectural styles. The Niujie Mosque in Beijing and the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar are among the most prominent.