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Introduction-Islamic Presence Strong in Quanzhou
This woman is in charge of sweeping Beidi Temple, where business people go to pray before heading abroad on business trips.

During its height, Quanzhou was a veritable showcase of religious tolerance. Apart from Buddhism and Hinduism, Islam, Nestorianism, Manichaeism and Taoism all made their mark in this city.
Near Quanzhou's east entrance, there are two graves known as the Sacred Tombs of Islam, where two disciples of the Islamic prophet Mohammed are buried. Mohammed founded Islam in the early 600's, and during that time sent four of his disciples to China. The first disciple went to Guangzhou, the second to Yangzhou, and the third and fourth to Quanzhou.

 
The origin of this stone pillar in the Xinmen area is uncertain: some believe it to be a large Shiva lingam (the male reproductive organ) as is commonly worshipped in Hinduism; while others claim it is the 'fengshui' rock for Quanzhou.
Some people wonder why, if Islam was only just established, the prophet would send four disciples to China. This is actually very simple to explain. When Islam was first founded it was declared illegal in the prophet's own homeland, therefore Mohammed tried to spread his beliefs abroad first. When he learned that Tang-dynasty China was both large and prosperous, and that there was a maritime route there, he made the decision to send his four followers to the Orient. Therefore China was one of the world's first countries to receive the teachings of Mohammed.
One of the earliest Islamic mosques in China is located in Quanzhou, on Tushan Street. It was built in 1009, and is an imitation of a mosque in Syria's city of Damascus. The main parts of the structure include the entrance gate, Fengtian Altar, Mingshan Chamber and Prayer Hall. During an earthquake in 1607 the dome 		 
The square in front of the main hall of Kaiyuan Temple has many stone carvings which show the influence of Hinduism on Chinese architecture.
of the tower on Fengtian Altar collapsed, but the four walls remain intact. The entrance gate is the most well-preserved part of the compound. It is 20 metres high and in the centre of the vaulted ceiling is an architectural design called a "caisson". As this is a design common to ancient Chinese buildings, it is clear that architecturally, the mosque is a combination of Chinese and Islamic styles.
In Quanzhou one can also see a large number of tombstones with Arabic writing, or sometimes both Arabic and Chinese words. These tombs obviously belong to Muslims and many of them bear the words Fanke Mu, literally meaning "foreign guest's tomb". This indicates that Muslims from abroad who settled in Quanzhou used the word "fanke" to refer to themselves. The interesting thing is that these words were in Arabic but were written like Chinese calligraphy!		  
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