From generations to generations, some 12,000 Muslims lived around an age-old Islamic mosque in Ox Street or Niu Jie, south Beijing's Xuanwu district. Along with their neighbours, they have witnessed the great changes in this ancient street ...

Five o'clock in the early morning, 77-year-old Wang Changhe is already on his way to the Ox Street Mosque hundred metres off his home.

When Wang arrives, there are a few people in it. However, minutes later, old neighbours begin to show up for the early religious services at six o'clock. It is said that over 200 Muslims come here for religious services every day and more people will come at alDjumah every Friday.

Wang returns to Mosque again after having breakfast at home. His day of work begins, keeping watch on the renovation of the Mosque.

Being a member of Ox Street Administrative Committee, Wang has been keeping a close eye on the renovation process of the Mosque since the central government for the fourth time invested some 20 million yuan, the largest sum compared with previous times, for the maintenance of it. "I like to go around and look at the process at the site. I feel very happy for the betterment of the Mosque," said Wang.

Built in 996 AD, the OX Street Mosque is the largest mosque in Beijing and has been enlisted into the key cultural relics under state protection.

Wei Chunjie, deputy director of Ox Street Administrative Committee said that every process has gone smoothly since the maintenance was kicked off. The total area of the Mosque has expanded from previous 4,700 square metres to 10,000 square metres with public bathroom and natural gas pipelines added. A 50 KV substation has been built, illegal building within the Mosque demolished and a hall for female prayers to do religious services set up. It is estimated that the whole project will be competed in the second half this year. During the renovation, a temporary place is set up for the religious services. "All the religious activities go as normal," he added.

From 1993 to 2004, some 100,000 people from 126 countries over the world visited the Mosque, and 4,000 Muslims and some 30,000 spectators attended the Festival of Fast-breaking here on Nov. 3, last year.

Although in his 70s, Xue Tianli, imam of the Mosque still looks hale and hearty. "The religious activities here in Ox Street have won respect from the general public. Municipal government, district and sub-district office lend their full support to us during major festivals. It is worth mentioning that traffic management department enforced traffic control during the Festival of Fast-breaking last year to ensure the safety for all Muslims."

In the past, journey of Chinese pilgrims to Mecca was rather harsh and long. However, Chinese government now arranges a charter plane to Saudi Arabia every year for all pilgrims, which only takes less than 20 hours. Additionally, there are also interpreters of Arabic language and medical care personnel.

"I took the charter plane to Mecca at the end of 2004 with two imams from our neighbourhood, five folks and other Muslims across the country. The pilgrimage took nearly eight days. The government has arranged everything for us and we just concentrated on our religious services," Wang accounted his memory of his pilgrimage to Mecca as if it happened yesterday.

Wang is very proud of his pilgrimage to Mecca in his 70s. "It is my first time to take governmental charter plane to Mecca. My family was very poor when I was young and I could not afford the travel expenses there. With my life becoming better and better, I finally realised my dream of pilgrimage. I am very happy and I'd like to express my thanks to Allah and the government," Wang said.

Ox Street, the largest community for ethnic minorities in Beijing is home to 28 nationalities including Han, Hui, Manchu, Korean, Mongol and Uygur. Among its 54,000 total population, Hui nationality takes up some 12,000, or 23 percent. People of different nationalities live friendly and harmoniously here.

In the past, streets were narrow and community environment was bad. People lived in crowded and shabby houses in Ox Street. One might well say that people there were perplexed by nothing but housing problems. However, in recent years, the government has launched the renovation project for the old and unsafe houses in Ox Street. Now streets are wide, environment good and houses bigger. The housing condition for some 10,000 residents there have been greatly improved, the per capita living space increasing to 20 square metres from previous less than 5. Additionally, the largest domestic Islamic super market and Beijing's sole Muslim hospital for Hui ethnic minority have brought conveniences to local residents.

Wang moved to a new flat of some 60 square metres from shabby houses in 2003. Furniture, household appliances, handicraft and calligraphy of Al Qur'an in Arabic are neatly placed. Wang is very satisfied with his current life, "I never dreamt that I can have a flat of my own, and I can enjoy a peaceful, quiet and easy life in my old age."

By People's Daily Online