Architectural Artifact: Mubarak Mosque, Châu Phong Commune – Tân Châu Town

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        The Cham ethnic group has a long-standing and unique culture. From ancient times, the Cham people have created, preserved, and developed their cultural heritage. An Giang province is home to over 15,000 Cham people. Unlike the Cham people in Ninh Thuan - Binh Thuan, the Cham in An Giang follow Islam. In the Cham residential areas in An Giang, there are many mosques, with the most prominent and notable being the Mubarak Mosque in Chau Giang, previously in Phu Hiep commune, Phu Tan district, now in Chau Phong commune, Tan Chau town. The mosque is an architectural and artistic work with distinctive religious features of the Cham people. It is considered one of the cultural centers of the Cham community.

        The Mubarak Mosque is 56 km from Long Xuyen city. From Long Xuyen, visitors can reach the site by traveling to Chau Doc town, crossing the Chau Giang ferry, or via Chau Doc bridge, following provincial road 951, and turning onto provincial road 953.

        The Mubarak Mosque has been constructed and renovated five times, entirely funded by contributions from the Cham community. The last construction was designed by Indian architect Mohamet Amin, modeled after mosques in Saudi Arabia. The main entrance of the mosque features an arch, with a large two-story tower on top. The tower's dome is oval-shaped, with a crescent moon and star at its base, symbolizing Islam. Each corner of the mosque's roof has four small towers, and the middle of the roof has two large domed towers. From the main entrance, there are two pointed arches on each side, spaced 2.4 meters apart.

        Each side of the mosque also features six pointed arches, each spaced 2.4 meters apart. From a distance, the mosque resembles ancient architecture from India and Persia. The interior of the mosque is decorated only with crescent moon and star symbols, with no statues or images of deities, because Muslims only revere Allah as the highest deity.

        Annually, three major festivals are held here:
        - Ha Ji Festival: from the 10th to the 12th of the Islamic calendar (July 3rd Gregorian calendar).
        - Ramadan (also known as the fasting festival): in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (April 27th Gregorian calendar).
        - The birthday of Mohammed: (the founder of Islam).
        During these major festivals, both the Cham people and the Kinh people from the surrounding areas gather here in great numbers for festive activities. In addition to the artistic architectural work rich in religious colors created by human hands, the natural beauty surrounding the mosque enhances the overall experience.
        Every year, numerous groups of visitors come here to study, admire the unique architectural work, and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the mosque. The architectural and artistic monument of the Mubarak Mosque was classified by the Ministry of Culture and Information according to Decision No. 235/VH-QĐ dated December 12, 1986.