National Solidification
(Pic: Niujie Chapel 1. The Frontispiece, Bangke Building)
The Niujie Street is the most concentrated area of minor nationalities with the longest history in Xuannan. In Tang and Liao Dynasty, some minor nationalities from north China and west China came to live here. After the Yuan Dynasty, more people of Hui nationality gathered to live here. The ancient Niujie Chapel was famous among the Moslems for its thousands of years of history and magnificence. The diligent and honest Hui people lived and developed in Xuannan who were industriously carrying on and studying religious books, as well as popularizing culture and education. They have made great achievements in inheriting traditional medicine. They ran businesses of antiques, jewelries, jade articles, food and snack food differently and uniquely, which were of great fame and significance in Beijing. For hundreds of years, more than 20 nationalities harmoniously lived in Niujie Street, which constituted another chapter of distinct culture of Xuannan.
Diligent Hui people (Pic: snack food)
Niujie Street is where the Hui people lived, Moslem believers were living around the chapel. For hundreds of years, the diligent Hui people loved the country and dedicated to their work, they united together and strived to be stronger. They also create unique national culture and fostered many famous talents in both literature and martial arts. Their distinct operation in jade article, jewelries and catering businesses was praised and appreciated very much.
Friendship with Overseas Moslem (Pic: Friendship 1, 2)
Niujie Chapel is famous among Moslems for its long history and magnificence, each year many foreign guests visited the Chapel, which promoted the communication and friendship with overseas Moslems, and also improved the friendly relationship with foreign people.
Seal-cutting Master—Mr. Liang Yanyu
Liang Yanyu, another name is Dezheng, Hui nationality, is a famous seal-cutting master who was born in 1904 on Niujie Street of Beijing. Master Liu once opened a seal-cutting business on east Liulichang Street, and educated many apprentices. His seal-cutting skills are perfect and strict, handwriting is excellent and profound with ancient characteristics, forceful and beautiful inscribing style. He imitated the eroded royal seals of different dynasties vividly, excellent skills were astonishing.
The Patriot Educator—Imam Ma Songting
Mr. Ma Songting was born in 1895 from a Moslem family on Niujie Street. He is thoroughly accomplished in Arabic and Persian Islamic books, as well as in research of calendar, Alcoran intonation and Chinese versions of Islamic works in Ming and Qing Dynasty. In 1925, he founded Chengda Normal School in Jinan, which was moved to Beiping in 1929. Later he jointly founded Xinyue Female School with some enthusiasts, also he participated in initiating the short-term elementary schools in suburbs of Beiping and set up more than 20 elementary schools to teach dropouts free of charge.
The Messenger of Chinese Moslems—An Shiwei
An Shiwei was born in 1919 in Hebei. He advocated study, read classic books, participated in organizing translation of Alcoran and Islamic academic works. In 1985, he established the first Islamism University in Beijing. He once participated in organizing worships to Mekka, and visited more than 20 Moslem countries including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. He has made positive contributions to publicize and carry out our independent peaceful foreign affairs policy and the policy of freedom in religious belief. |
