Huaisheng Mosque

The Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou, also known as the Lighthouse Mosque, is, at over 1,300 years old, one of the oldest mosques in the world. It was named in memory of Prophet Muhammad. Its calling tower is 36 feet tall with a pointed tip. The building used to serve as a beacon for boats, which is how it got its alternative name. It has many other variant names like Great Mosque of Canton,Guangta Si Mosque, Hwai Sun Su Mosque, Huai-Sheng Mosque, Ying Tong Mosque, Huai-Shang Mosque, and Huai-Shang Si Mosque.

History

According to old manuscripts the mosque was built by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas who was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad. He was on his first Muslim mission to China in the 630s. It is certain that the mosque existed during the Tang Dynasty, or in the early years of the Song Dynasty. The mosque was rebuilt in 1350 then in again in 1695 after being destroyed in a fire. The Huaisheng Light Tower or minaret was built at an earlier period.