Halal Travel Guide: Beijing Ramadan - Laylat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr
Reposted from the web
Summary: Halal Travel Guide: Beijing Ramadan - Laylat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear, natural English. The account focuses on Beijing Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Eid al-Fitr while preserving the names, places, food, photos, and historical details from the Chinese source.
On the 22nd day, the elder at Balizhuang Mosque made fresh pea flour cake (wandouhuang). It is rare to eat it warm, and it tasted amazing. I broke my fast with the usual fermented mung bean milk (douzhier), paired with crispy fried dough strips (paicha) and fried milk. For the fast-breaking meal, we had braised meatballs with carrots, stir-fried shrimp, and chicken stir-fried in soybean paste. Thanks to the elders who worked hard to cook for us!
I spent the next few days in Xi'an to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan, only returning for the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).
The noble Night of Power, a night of peace. Today was the busiest day at Balizhuang Mosque since the start of Ramadan. Many friends (dost) traveled from far away to be here. We also took a train from Xi'an to Beijing this afternoon and headed straight to the mosque.
To break the fast, we had white fungus and lotus seed porridge. I also got to eat the steamed rice cakes (aiwowo) made by Elder Fu, along with mung bean cakes and flaky pastries that Zainab brought back from the Muslim Quarter (Huifang). The fast-breaking meal was very rich, featuring fried tofu stewed with beef, lamb bone broth (yangtang), and various stir-fried dishes.
On the 27th day, we broke our fast at Balizhuang Mosque with fermented mung bean milk (douzhi) again. For the meal, we had large steamed buns (dabaozi) with carrot or cabbage fillings, made with either leavened or scalded dough. We all agreed that the carrot filling was better. The mix of sweet carrot flavor and savory meat was so appetizing.
On the 28th day, we attended the final Taraweeh prayer of Ramadan. It was hard to say goodbye! Balizhuang Mosque was very lively. The elders were making steamed rice cakes (aiwowo) together, and Elder Li made some sticky rice cake (qiegao). We broke our fast with fermented mung bean milk (douzhi) as usual. The meal was noodle soup with thick sauce (dalu mian), featuring three types of toppings: daylily, tomato, and eggplant, plus various side vegetables. I started with two bowls of fermented mung bean milk and two cups of tea, then ate a big bowl of noodles. I was completely stuffed. I walked around the courtyard several times and only felt comfortable after the Taraweeh prayer finished.
I received charity (sadaqah) from the friends (dosti). May Allah reward you all (thawab)! This Ramadan has been so heartwarming!
It is the last day of Ramadan! The elders at Balizhuang Mosque gathered again to make steamed rice cakes (aiwowo), small sticky rice cakes (xiaoqiegao), and candied yam rolls (tangjuanguo), and everyone felt sad to see Ramadan end. Just like the sermon (wa'erzi) says, we must keep the spirit of Ramadan alive and try to make every month like Ramadan and every night like the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).
The elders at Balizhuang Mosque are busy preparing for Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, getting the meat porridge (rouzhou) simmering and the fried dough (youxiang) ready.
The iftar meal was very rich, with braised fish, braised pork tongue, chicken cubes in bean sauce, stir-fried shrimp, fried tofu stewed with beef, spiced beef, and more. The fish was flavorful, and the beef was stewed until soft and tender. May Allah reward (thawab) everyone for their hard work this month.
Happy Eid! Eid al-Fitr is finally here, and Balizhuang Mosque has prepared meat porridge (rouzhou), fried dough (youxiang), and various pastries for everyone. The wheat grain and meat flavors in the meat porridge (rouzhou) blend perfectly, making it delicious. I met with Imam Saiwabu and the village elders. I not only accepted their greeting but also recited praises with them, and I feel very grateful to Allah.
May we meet again next Ramadan.
Summary: Halal Travel Guide: Beijing Ramadan - Laylat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr is presented here as a firsthand travel account in clear, natural English. The account focuses on Beijing Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Eid al-Fitr while preserving the names, places, food, photos, and historical details from the Chinese source.
On the 22nd day, the elder at Balizhuang Mosque made fresh pea flour cake (wandouhuang). It is rare to eat it warm, and it tasted amazing. I broke my fast with the usual fermented mung bean milk (douzhier), paired with crispy fried dough strips (paicha) and fried milk. For the fast-breaking meal, we had braised meatballs with carrots, stir-fried shrimp, and chicken stir-fried in soybean paste. Thanks to the elders who worked hard to cook for us!
I spent the next few days in Xi'an to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan, only returning for the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).
The noble Night of Power, a night of peace. Today was the busiest day at Balizhuang Mosque since the start of Ramadan. Many friends (dost) traveled from far away to be here. We also took a train from Xi'an to Beijing this afternoon and headed straight to the mosque.
To break the fast, we had white fungus and lotus seed porridge. I also got to eat the steamed rice cakes (aiwowo) made by Elder Fu, along with mung bean cakes and flaky pastries that Zainab brought back from the Muslim Quarter (Huifang). The fast-breaking meal was very rich, featuring fried tofu stewed with beef, lamb bone broth (yangtang), and various stir-fried dishes.
On the 27th day, we broke our fast at Balizhuang Mosque with fermented mung bean milk (douzhi) again. For the meal, we had large steamed buns (dabaozi) with carrot or cabbage fillings, made with either leavened or scalded dough. We all agreed that the carrot filling was better. The mix of sweet carrot flavor and savory meat was so appetizing.
On the 28th day, we attended the final Taraweeh prayer of Ramadan. It was hard to say goodbye! Balizhuang Mosque was very lively. The elders were making steamed rice cakes (aiwowo) together, and Elder Li made some sticky rice cake (qiegao). We broke our fast with fermented mung bean milk (douzhi) as usual. The meal was noodle soup with thick sauce (dalu mian), featuring three types of toppings: daylily, tomato, and eggplant, plus various side vegetables. I started with two bowls of fermented mung bean milk and two cups of tea, then ate a big bowl of noodles. I was completely stuffed. I walked around the courtyard several times and only felt comfortable after the Taraweeh prayer finished.
I received charity (sadaqah) from the friends (dosti). May Allah reward you all (thawab)! This Ramadan has been so heartwarming!
It is the last day of Ramadan! The elders at Balizhuang Mosque gathered again to make steamed rice cakes (aiwowo), small sticky rice cakes (xiaoqiegao), and candied yam rolls (tangjuanguo), and everyone felt sad to see Ramadan end. Just like the sermon (wa'erzi) says, we must keep the spirit of Ramadan alive and try to make every month like Ramadan and every night like the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).
The elders at Balizhuang Mosque are busy preparing for Eid al-Fitr tomorrow, getting the meat porridge (rouzhou) simmering and the fried dough (youxiang) ready.
The iftar meal was very rich, with braised fish, braised pork tongue, chicken cubes in bean sauce, stir-fried shrimp, fried tofu stewed with beef, spiced beef, and more. The fish was flavorful, and the beef was stewed until soft and tender. May Allah reward (thawab) everyone for their hard work this month.
Happy Eid! Eid al-Fitr is finally here, and Balizhuang Mosque has prepared meat porridge (rouzhou), fried dough (youxiang), and various pastries for everyone. The wheat grain and meat flavors in the meat porridge (rouzhou) blend perfectly, making it delicious. I met with Imam Saiwabu and the village elders. I not only accepted their greeting but also recited praises with them, and I feel very grateful to Allah.
May we meet again next Ramadan.
