Iftar is the meal Muslims share after a long day of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. People at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing are preparing snacks in front of the Minaret, awaiting the sunset on Monday, July 6.
Iftar is the meal Muslims share after a long day of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. People at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing are preparing snacks in front of the Minaret, awaiting the sunset on Monday, July 6.
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Muslims here break the fast sharp at 7:45 p.m. when the sun sets. According to the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewforum.org%2Finteractives%2Fmuslim-population-graphic%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pew Foundation</a>, China has more than 23 million Muslims -- 1.8% of the population. Most live in China's northwest.
Muslims here break the fast sharp at 7:45 p.m. when the sun sets. According to the Pew Foundation, China has more than 23 million Muslims -- 1.8% of the population. Most live in China's northwest.
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The fasters eat dates, cookies and watermelon once the sun sets. China has been accused by some critics -- including the Turkish government -- of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F07%2F02%2Fasia%2Fchina-xinjiang-ramadan%2Findex.html">restricting some members of its Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang province from observing Ramadan.</a> China denies this.
The fasters eat dates, cookies and watermelon once the sun sets. China has been accused by some critics -- including the Turkish government -- of restricting some members of its Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang province from observing Ramadan. China denies this.
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A man enjoys a piece of watermelon on July 6.
A man enjoys a piece of watermelon on July 6.
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A man prays in Niujie Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, July 6. It was built in the year of 996.
A man prays in Niujie Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, July 6. It was built in the year of 996.
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Shortly after the snacks, people return to the mosque's worship hall to perform the fourth prayer of the day.
Shortly after the snacks, people return to the mosque's worship hall to perform the fourth prayer of the day.
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Men pray at the Niujie Mosque on July 6.
Men pray at the Niujie Mosque on July 6.
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Women serve Iftar at the mosque, an evening meal Muslims eat together after ending their daily Ramadan fast.
Women serve Iftar at the mosque, an evening meal Muslims eat together after ending their daily Ramadan fast.
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About 200 Muslims took part in the Iftar meal at the Niujie Mosque on July 6.
About 200 Muslims took part in the Iftar meal at the Niujie Mosque on July 6.
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Men enjoy their Iftar meal at the mosque.
Men enjoy their Iftar meal at the mosque.
Shen Lu/CNN