Call to prayer

By Mu Qian (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-10 08:59

In 1787, a woman named Zulpiya Henim from Khanireq township of Shule county embarked on a haj to Mecca, carrying much wealth with her. However, she didn't make it because of the wars in Persia. Looking for an opportunity for a virtuous deed, she donated all her wealth for the rebuilding of Id Kah mosque. She also bought a large piece of land in southern Kashgar and donated it to the mosque.

In 1798, another woman named Gulminar, died of illness in Kashgar on her way to Pakistan. In accordance with her will, her family donated all her money for the expansion of the mosque and the square in front of it. It was after this expansion that the mosque began to be called "Id Kah".

The mosque underwent several renovations over the next 100 years. The most significant of these occurred in 1870, during the reign of Yaqub Beg, an invader from Central Asia. The three-year exercise gave the mosque its current scale and appearance.

Many famous Uygurs received their early education in Id Kah mosque. These included not only religious leaders but also men of letters such as poets Khirkati (1634-1724) and Abdureyim Nizari (1770-1848).

"Islam plays a very important role in Uygur people's lives," says 69-year-old Juma Tayir Damolla Aji, an imam of Id Kah mosque, who is also vice-chairman of the China Islamic Association. "It is a great honor for me to be an imam at Id Kah mosque. At the same time, it's also a great responsibility as I have to study and work hard to do my work well."

Despite the many modern buildings that are appearing in Kashgar, the mosque retains its central place.

Recently, Kasim took his 7-year-old son to the Id Kah mosque for the first time. "He was as excited as I was when I first visited," he says.

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