The muslim quarter of Xi'an is situated in the center of the city, indicating a long-lasting presence of different ethnic minorities in what was the capital city of the Empire over many Dynasties.
Visiting the Xi'an Great Mosque can be surprising for anyone familiar with Islam, its beliefs and practices, as well as the architectural principles which tend to unify North-African, Middle-Eastern and Arabic urban planning.
Among the surprising elements, we noticed this item, which has a prayer written on two elongated slates. Under them, two massive turtles, which establish a direct connection between Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim iconographies within the framework of the Chinese Empire.
