This year I decided to do something a little special. Out of my 4 Ramadans spent in China, I finally got the chance to dig deeper into the local traditions of Chinese Muslims during the holy month. I was fortunate to interview a local who is a good friend of mine.
Even though many of the traditions we see practiced are universally shared by Muslims around the world, to witness it all in a new country, with a different language and people, makes it extra special. We could all be so different, but our core values and beliefs unite us in a way that connects us cross-culturally. That’s a very grounding feeling.
It’s been a wholesome experience every year to see the liveliness of Ramadan in China. From living in the Muslim district of Hohhot, visiting different cities during Ramadan throughout my years, to living in Chengdu now. There’s so much beauty in the places we would otherwise not expect to see.
If there’s one great and most memorable thing I’ll treasure from living abroad, it’s the effort I put in to have a greater understanding of the people, culture, and history. I’ve yet to learn so much, yet I can walk away knowing that I have a deeper connection and love for everything I’ve sought to understand more.
Here’s a little about Ramadan in China from a local.
- Who are you?
- What does Ramadan in your hometown look like?
- What is Ramadan to you?
- How do you prepare for the month of Ramadan?
- What are some common rituals Chinese Muslims do during Ramadan?
- What unique traditions do you and your family keep alive during Ramadan?
- What do you hope to teach and share with future generations of Chinese Muslims?
- What is something you’d like people around the world to know about Chinese Muslims?
Who are you?
“Asalam alaikum, my Chinese name is Ma Sha (马莎莎) and my Arabic name is Zulekha (زليخه). I’m from Linxia, Gansu Province, China. I have been living in Chengdu with my husband and two daughters for the past 3 years. This year is our third year celebrating Ramadan in Chengdu.”
Gansu is a province located in north-central China. The capital of this region is Lanzhou, a city south of the Yellow River. Gansu province is divided into 12 prefecture-level municipalities, with 2 autonomous prefectures. One of the autonomous regions in this province is Linxia Hui prefecture, inhabited by the Hui people who are the largest Muslim minority group in China.
What does Ramadan in your hometown look like?
In many Muslim-populated areas and regions of China, the atmosphere of Islam and Chinese culture are integrated as one. Some of the ways the culture and religion are infused are through cuisine, mosque architecture, markets or “souq” culture, and the practice of only serving and selling halal food.
During Ramadan, the market culture is heightened with street vendors, restaurants, and butcher shops offering an abundance of traditional sweets, bread, fresh meat, and dishes to honor the special month.
*halal: particularly associated with Islamic dietary laws (no pork and alcohol), as well as the process and preparation of slaughtering animals or poultry.
What is Ramadan to you?
“Ramadan is our family’s most anticipated and special month of the year!”
For Muslims all over the world, Ramadan is an auspicious time when worship, family, and community are emphasized to a higher degree. Muslims tend to feel a stronger connection to God and the things that result in living a more balanced life. For these reasons, it’s very typical for Muslims to feel excited about the month.
How do you prepare for the month of Ramadan?
“We will clean the house before Ramadan and decorate it with the Ramadan atmosphere. We will also stock up on a lot of food especially, beef, mutton, and chicken!”
What are some common rituals Chinese Muslims do during Ramadan?
“In Ramadan, we generally do not leave our hometown and limit business trips. We enjoy the auspiciousness of Ramadan to the fullest. The women finish their homework (Quran lessons) in Ramadan almost every morning and prepare a lot of food in the afternoon. In my hometown, every day, all relatives and friends feast with each other for iftar. We eat a lot. After breaking fast, the men go to the mosque to worship and the women sit, chat, and clean up. The kids go to school as usual!”
What unique traditions do you and your family keep alive during Ramadan?
“Our tradition is to abide by all Ramadan conditions and to visit the elderly. We bring gifts when visiting, and also prepare food for the mosque. They are a must-do tradition!”
What do you hope to teach and share with future generations of Chinese Muslims?
“I hope the descendants of Muslims in China will love the country and the people. I hope they will strive to study hard and carry forward our customs well in the future so that more people will have a better understanding of who we are.”
What is something you’d like people around the world to know about Chinese Muslims?
“China is a large country and there are Muslim communities in almost every city. But the customs and culture of each city are different! We have many special halal cuisines, and I hope friends from all over the world can come and taste them.”
Happy travels, and remember to always stay boundless!
