Commander’s Mosque

Commander’s Mosque

Commander’s Mosque is a cultural tourism attraction.

Commander’s Mosque, located on East Street in Zhizhang Town, was originally built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424). It underwent multiple renovations and expansions in the 26th year of the Kangxi reign (1687) and the 8th year of the Yongzheng reign (1730) of the Qing Dynasty, eventually taking on its current scale. The mosque is a traditional structure, featuring a main prayer hall, auxiliary halls, and bathing facilities. The entire building is constructed of brick and wood, with flying eaves, upturned roof corners, and towering towers, blending elements of classical Chinese and Arabic architecture. It was historically known as “a landmark distinguishing Cangji.” In 1995, it obtained a religious activity venue registration certificate, and in 2000, it was recognized as a “Model Mosque” at the provincial level. It plays an irreplaceable role in enriching public life, enhancing ethnic unity, and maintaining social stability.

For hundreds of years, the ancient mosque has weathered many storms and undergone numerous restorations. After the reform and opening-up, governments at all levels showed great care for the mosque and carried out comprehensive renovations. While preserving its original style, its scale was further expanded. Currently, the mosque has two courtyards, covering an area of 5,260 square meters, with a built-up area of 1,600 square meters. The main prayer hall stands 26 meters tall and covers 1,200 square meters. The floor inside the hall is raised one meter above ground level and is paved with wooden boards and carpets, accommodating up to 2,000 worshippers for prayers simultaneously. Religious activities at the mosque are presided over by an imam. There are currently more than ten students of Islamic studies (hafiz), and the local Hui community has elected a mosque management committee consisting of nine members, responsible for the daily affairs of the mosque.

Commander’s Mosque was listed as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit in 2006.

The establishment of Zhizhang Town boasts a long history, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty when it was called Changwan Store. It served as the station of the local government official (darughachi) and also saw the settlement of Hui people. In the early years of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, many Hui people migrated from the north and south and settled here, where the mosque was first built. It underwent several renovations during the Qing Dynasty and gradually took shape. Having witnessed over 600 years of historical changes, it is indeed a precious cultural relic of the region. Blessed by this prosperous era, the ancient mosque has been restored with the support of the Dezhou Municipal Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Ningjin County Party Committee, the county government, and people from all walks of life and ethnic groups. The local Muslim community worked together to bring the ancient mosque back to its former glory, making it a renowned landmark in the county.

Source: Ningjin County Chronicles Office

Zhizhang Town: Located on the northern side of Ningjin County, Dezhou City, Zhizhang Town comprises 50 administrative villages, with a total area of 64.6 square kilometers and a population of 36,000, including 3,500 Hui people. It lies west of the Beijing-Shanghai Railway and the Beijing-Fuzhou Expressway, with Provincial Highway 249 and an upcoming railway running through the town. The town has been awarded the title of “National Advanced Township for Ethnic Unity” by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission. In recent years, the town has seen rapid development in both industry and agriculture, with 75 enterprises and 720 individual businesses currently in operation. The industrial park has reached a considerable scale, covering a planned area of 2 square kilometers, with 20 enterprises having already settled in, and a total investment... Detailed information about Zhizhang Town++