Ramadan in China

Chinese Muslims in Beijing celebrate the arrival of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

By REUTERS
Ramadan in China 311 R (photo credit: Courtesy)
Ramadan in China 311 R
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Chinese Muslims in Beijing celebrated the arrival of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan on Monday.
China's estimated 22 million Muslims, making up just about two percent of the country's population, are expected to unite with more than one billion Muslims across the world to observe the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
The start of Ramadan varies in different countries, depending on the sighting of the new moon, and in China, the fasting month began on Monday.
Approximately 300 men and women gathered at Beijing's Niujie Mosque to perform the first evening prayer of the month at the end of the first fasting day.
As well as fasting, Muslims are expected to strengthen their character through self-restraint, charitable-giving and introspection during the holy month.
While China is officially an atheist country, it has a growing population of believers.
Half of China's Muslims come from the Hui ethnic group while the remaining are from different ethnic groups in northwest China's Xinjiang and Ningxia regions.