Micheng Mosque in Midu County, Dali

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Micheng Mosque (弥城清真寺) is located at No. 28 Nanping Street (南屏街), Zhuzixiang (竹子巷), in the southwest of Micheng Town (弥城镇), Midu County (弥渡县), Dali Prefecture (大理州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It lies approximately 50 meters east of Xiaonanmen (小南门), in the county’s main commercial area.

Historical Background

The mosque was established in 1933 (Republic of China Year 22) by Hui Muslim Ma Zhongliang (马忠良) and others. In the late 1990s, the original structure was dismantled and rebuilt in an Arabic architectural style.

Architectural Features

The renovated Micheng Mosque adopts a classic Arabic architectural style. The building is distinctive in form, featuring typical elements such as rounded domes and pointed arch windows and doors, showcasing a strong exotic flavor.

Geographic and Cultural Setting

Located in the commercial center of Midu County (弥渡县), Micheng Town (弥城镇) serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the region. The mosque provides a significant venue for the local Hui Muslim community to carry out religious and cultural activities.

Religious and Social Functions

Religious Activities

As the earliest mosque built by the Hui community in Micheng (弥城), it remains the primary place of worship for local Muslims. Daily prayers and other religious rituals are held here. On major Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, large gatherings and celebrations take place.

Cultural Transmission and Education

Micheng Mosque plays an essential role in preserving and promoting Islamic culture. Through religious classes and cultural events, it educates younger generations about Islamic doctrines, rules, and cultural traditions, helping to foster understanding and awareness of the faith.

Social Welfare and Community Service

The mosque actively engages in public welfare initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it quickly organized staff to assist local communities with prevention efforts, including donating masks to frontline workers, thus contributing to public health efforts in the area.

Training and Exchange Activities

In 2023, the United Front Work Department of the Midu County Party Committee (弥渡县委统战部), together with the Midu County Islamic Association (弥渡县伊斯兰教协会), held a special training session at Micheng Mosque. The event focused on “Adhering to the Direction of the Sinicization of Religion in China and Relevant Policies and Laws.” A section chief from the Religious Affairs Division of the Dali Prefecture Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission (大理州民族宗教委) delivered a keynote speech on Xi Jinping’s important discourse on religious affairs and the legal governance of religious matters. This effectively enhanced the legal awareness and management capacity of religious organizations in Midu County.