Xiaowu Maolin Mosque in Weishan County, Dali

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Xiaowumaolin Mosque (小五茂林清真寺) is located in Xiaowumaolin Village (小五茂林), Shuijian Township (水建乡), Weishan County (巍山县), Yunnan Province (云南省). The exact founding date is unknown. The mosque has undergone several reconstructions over the years, with the most recent completed in 1989. The mosque occupies about 4 mu of land, with a total construction area of 2,255 square meters. The overall layout is orderly and well-organized.

• Chinese Name: 巍山县小五茂林清真寺
• Address: Xiaowumaolin Village (小五茂林), Shuijian Township (水建乡), Weishan County (巍山县), Yunnan Province (云南省)
• Postal Code: 672401
• Current Imam: Ma Yaoneng (马耀能)
• Current Mosque Director: Ma Shangqing (马尚清)

Historical Background

The founding date of the mosque is not recorded. It was rebuilt in 1929, and its main prayer hall was constructed in a single-eaved Xieshan (歇山) architectural style. The mosque was expanded in 1976, increasing the prayer hall’s area to 250 square meters. In 1989, a new minaret tower was constructed.

Architectural Layout

The mosque covers approximately 4 mu and has a total built-up area of 2,255 square meters. There are 23 traditional wooden-structure rooms on both sides, which serve as classrooms and dormitories. The mosque is situated on sloping ground, with the east side higher than the west, and features a well-planned layout. The minaret tower adopts a four-cornered pyramidal roof style and occupies 422 square meters.

Religious Community and Activities

The mosque serves a community of 140 Hui (回族) households, with a total population of over 800, all followers of the Gedimu (格迪目) tradition. Despite being a small village, Xiaowumaolin has maintained a strong tradition of Islamic scriptural education. The mosque currently has 22 ahong (阿訇).

During the late Qing Dynasty, the mosque produced several notable scholars, including Ma Tengwen (马腾蚊), who served as a senior religious advisor in the Marshal’s Office under Du Wenxiu (杜文秀). His eldest son, Ma Ping’an (马平安), passed away during Hajj in Jeddah. His grandson, Ma Zimei (马自美), later moved to Sanjiacun (三家村) and also became a respected religious scholar.
Today, the mosque hosts one Arabic school with 30 mullahs (满拉) in training.

Location and Transportation

Xiaowumaolin Village (小五茂林) is located south of Dawangmaolin (大王茂林). The village is relatively small, hence the name “Xiao” (meaning “small”). The Guanwei Highway (关巍公路) passes just north of the village, providing convenient access.