Xijin Donglu Grand Mosque in Lanzhou

Xijin Donglu Grand Mosque兰州市西津东路清真寺, also known as Saoni Spring Mosque, was first established in 1917 during the Republic of China era. It is located at No. 295 Xijin East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City. The mosque belongs to the Qadim sect of Islam, which is an old Islamic sect introduced to China, originating from the Hanafi school of thought, one of the four major Sunni legal schools in Islam.

Historical Development

Initial Construction

• The Xijin Donglu Mosque was initially constructed in 1917. It covered an area of 8.34 acres, with the main hall built in a classic wooden structure covering 300 square meters. The ancillary facilities, including side rooms, the Imam’s room, the ablution room, and others, covered approximately 450 square meters and occupied 4.75 acres. The remaining area was used by the Chongde Primary School playground and the Woge Fu Building.

Renovation and Reconstruction

• From 1946 to 1953, the mosque had an additional 250 square meters of space for a semi-day school offering Arabic classes in the morning and Chinese classes in the afternoon. The Chinese teacher, Mr. Chen from Ningxia, taught about 50 to 60 adult students at that time.
• During the Cultural Revolution (1967-1968), the mosque was demolished by the Red Guards and local rebels. The mosque’s religious leaders were detained at the Xizhan Construction Hotel for about a year. All religious sites were closed, and the mosque was repurposed as a production workshop for the Qilihe District Clothing Factory. Although the government allowed religious activities to resume on the eve of Eid in 1962, the mosque was again severely damaged in the late Cultural Revolution. By 1975, the original site had been replaced by two residential buildings, and the historic mosque was lost.
• In 1978, a new Islamic activity point was established at the Daqing Wood Factory Family Housing site, led by Imam An Wenshou, who managed the activities until 1980. During this period, several individuals including Ma Fuxiang and Ma Peilie were involved in learning and religious activities.
• In April 1980, under the inspiration of the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, construction began on a new mosque at No. 59 Xijin East Road, completed after 2 years. The mosque covered 2.5 acres with a main hall of approximately 400 square meters in an ancient style. The main hall, measuring about 19.6 meters in length and 14.6 meters in width, was built over three floors: the first floor for ablution and toilets, the second floor for the Imam’s room and other facilities, and the third floor for meeting rooms, a library, and accommodation. The building included street-facing commercial spaces over three floors, each 19 meters long and 6.5 meters wide. The mosque was officially opened in early 1982.
• Due to increasing demand from the faithful and inadequate space and layout, the mosque could no longer meet the community’s needs. In 1987, under the proposal of Imam An Wenshou, efforts were made to address the issues of the original mosque site. With significant effort from religious communities, the issue was resolved by 2010, reflecting the government’s support for religious groups.

Modern Developments

• In 2011, under the leadership of current Mosque Management Committee Director Zhang Quan, a new mosque was constructed with an Arabic architectural style. The new mosque has a three-story prayer hall, each floor covering 700 square meters, with an underground parking lot. The building is reinforced concrete, featuring colonnades and ornate carvings. Each floor can accommodate over 2000 people. The new mosque was completed at No. 295 and the old mosque’s site was preserved.

Scale and Structure

• The new mosque, built in 2011, features a three-story prayer hall, with each floor spanning 700 square meters. The underground parking lot covers one level with a height of 3.2 meters, and the second and third floors are 6 meters high. The mosque’s design includes a reinforced concrete structure, columned arcades, and intricate carvings. The prayer hall can accommodate over 2000 people on each floor.

Architectural Features

• The Xijin Donglu Grand Mosque showcases Arabic architectural style. The mosque is one of the standardized religious sites in Lanzhou’s Qilihe District, covering over 8000 square meters with a building area of over 5000 square meters. It is arranged in a rectangular layout running east-west, with well-maintained greenery and symmetrical flowerbeds. The mosque has become a prominent landmark in Lanzhou City.

Cultural and Social Impact

Religious Activities

• The mosque hosts major religious events such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mawlid annually, with around 2000 households and 4000 Muslims participating. The community is known for its unity and respect among different Islamic sects, reflecting the harmonious spirit of the mosque.

Community Engagement

• The mosque actively participates in social welfare activities, including poverty alleviation efforts in Yuzhong County and donations for the Wenchuan earthquake and Zhouqu mudslide relief, totaling over 500,000 yuan in donations.
• It also provides cultural enrichment for local residents, including a daycare room for elderly Muslims and the “Four O’clock” project. The mosque’s library, established in 2011, spans 420 square meters with over 6000 books and is open full-time with a librarian and volunteers. Additionally, a 1500 square meter kindergarten is included in the facilities.

Geographical Location

• The Xijin Donglu Grand Mosque is situated at No. 295 Xijin East Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City, and was originally established in 1917.