Guangzhou (Canton)

Date 770 CE

You have traveled for six months from Baghdad. The monsoon winds helped you sail quickly. You have finally arrived in Guangzhou, which is called Canton by many English speakers. Muslim traders call the city Khanfu.

Guangzhou was the first Chinese city that foreigners were allowed to enter. Arab traders began coming to Guangzhou during the Tang Dynasty, in the 700’s CE to trade silk, porcelain, and tea. During the years of 763-778 CE, more than 4,000 ships came to the port, and close to 120,000 Arab traders lived in the foreign quarters, or "Fanfang."

China’s first mosque was built in Guangzhou. The Huaisheng mosque looks like a lighthouse and its minaret is six stories high. Its name means "in memory of the saint," which refers to Mohammed. A seaman from Oman named Abu Ubaida bin Abdulla bin al Qassim was one of the Arabs who spread the message of Islam in this area of China. He first made the 7,000 kilometer voyage from Oman in the 8th Century. There has continued to be a significant Muslim population in Guangzhou since the late 700’s.

Guangzhou’s geography makes it the perfect place for a port city. It is located on the Zhu Jiang, or Pearl River, Delta. Three rivers come together only 80 miles from the sea. It never gets very hot or very cold because it is in the subtropical region. Farmers are able to harvest three crops of rice each year. Many flowers are grown all over the town.

Your Task

The Chinese in this area are known for eating many delicious types of food. Muslim traders would not wish to eat many of these foods for religious reasons. Earn ten dinars by making a list of three food items that a Muslim would not be able to eat but that a native of this area might eat.

Consult HALAAL GUIDELINES FOR A MUSLIM DIET to explain why the Muslim would not eat this food.

Good Luck!