Dagongbei Mosque in Linxia
Dagongbei Mosque 临夏华寺拱北清真寺, also known as Huasi Gongbei Mosque, is located in the western suburb of Linxia City, Gansu Province. It serves as the mausoleum for Ma Laichi, the founder of the Huasi Sufi order in China. The mosque and mausoleum were first built in 1766 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty.
Historical Development
Initial Construction
- The mausoleum was constructed in 1766 and was designed in a three-tiered octagonal brick-wood structure with a golden dome. The complex originally included a mosque, guest rooms, dormitories, kitchens, storage rooms, and a gatehouse.
- The site covered 60 mu (about 10 acres), with the main building being a three-tiered pavilion-style mausoleum adorned with colorful and intricate designs.
Expansion and Destruction
- 1797: The third generation leader, Ma Guangzong, received materials like glazed tiles from the Qing Dynasty court and expanded the mosque.
- 1895: After a failed anti-Qing rebellion led by Ma Yonglin and Ma Yongrui, the Qing army under Ma Anliang destroyed the mosque. Only a 2-meter-high wall and the tomb remained, and the mosque’s fortunes began to decline.
- 1940s: The sixth-generation leader, Ma Xianfu, rebuilt the mosque, including the octagonal mausoleum.
Reconstruction Efforts
- 1958: The mosque was destroyed again during the anti-feudal privileges movement, and most of the remaining structures were demolished during the Cultural Revolution.
- 1980: The ninth-generation leader, Ma Yuqing, led the reconstruction effort, and the tomb was rebuilt as a 32.6-meter-high three-tiered octagonal pavilion. It features flying eaves, curved corners, and intricate brick and wood carvings. The mausoleum’s inner chamber covers 110 square meters, and the entire structure is noted for its elegance and craftsmanship.
Modern Development
Recent Expansions
- 2006: The tenth-generation leader, Ma Jingzhang, oversaw a meeting to plan the expansion of the mosque, including the construction of a new prayer hall, golden dome, teaching building, office building, and a call-to-prayer tower. A reconstruction committee was formed, consisting of Ma Laichi’s descendants and the local community.
- The prayer hall, which is three stories tall, has already been completed. It includes an underground parking lot, a large reception hall, and a main prayer hall, with a total area of 2,100 square meters. Construction of additional facilities, including the teaching building, is ongoing.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Mausoleum and Surrounding Tombs
- Ma Laichi’s Tomb: The centerpiece of the mosque, Ma Laichi’s tomb is a three-tiered octagonal pavilion that symbolizes the Huasi Sufi order’s legacy.
- Nearby, about 100 meters east, lies the tomb of Sayyid Sanjiji, a saint whose mausoleum predates Ma Laichi’s tomb. There is also the tomb of Suhadai, located about 80 meters east of Ma Laichi’s mausoleum.
Role in Islamic Education
The Dagongbei Mosque is not only a mausoleum but also serves as an important educational and religious center. It fosters community unity, teaches Islamic values, and promotes the principles of Sufi mysticism in China.
The mosque continues to play a significant role in the religious and social life of the local Muslim community, and its expansion reflects its ongoing importance as a place of worship, education, and community leadership.
