Dates, Watermelon..Muslims’ Iftar in China’s Mosques

Nour El-Hoda Fouad

Ramadan in China depends on what the Mosques service to Muslims like dates, watermelon, fresh fruits and juices in Iftar. Despite all criticisms addressed to the Chinese government for not respecting Muslims’ rituals especially at Uyghurs province, Mr Shi Yu Wen, the Muslim cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in Egypt, said the opposite.

Yu Wen stressed that his country is an ideal example in accepting freedom of religions as long as this doesn’t cause any harm to others.

[caption id="attachment_50818" align="alignright" width="250"] Mr Shi Yu Wen with Dr. El Sawy[/caption]

This speech took place in a colloquium entitled “Chinese culture during Ramadan” which was held at El-Sawy Culture Wheel in Zamalek under the management of Dr. El Sawy, the former minister of culture and current professor of philosophy at Banha University.

The number of Muslims in china reached 22 million people and they used to preparing food stock and hang Ramadan ornaments in their homes the same as what Muslims do in the Middle East.

Moreover, more than 30 thousand mosques in China are prepared to welcome the huge number of prayers during the holy month.

[caption id="attachment_50819" align="alignleft" width="266"] the iftar in China[/caption]

After the Maghrib prayer is held, Muslims break their fast inside the mosques where dates, juices and fresh fruits, especially watermelon, are presented in Ramadan in China.

After they perform prayer, they return back homes to have their main dishes.

In normal days, mosques in china have a significant role in teaching Quran and other Islamic rituals.

China’s authorities believe that pursuing a specific religion is a personal freedom unlike some Arab societies that no one can violate their religious customs like eating in the daytime during Ramadan.

[caption id="attachment_50821" align="alignright" width="264"] Ramadan in China[/caption]

Also, the Chinese government bears about 80% of the costs of building mosques.

All other institutions respect the rights of their Muslim employees in performing their religious rituals throughout the working hours, besides giving them 1 0r 2 days off for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

[caption id="attachment_50822" align="alignnone" width="309"] Chinese culture during Ramadan[/caption]