The fabulously beautiful building of the Central Mosque of Ho Chi Minh City has delighted the hearts of Muslims and the eyes of all other believers and atheists since 1935. The modern structure was erected on the site of the old wooden one and became a true haven of silence and noble simplicity amid the noisy and vibrant Dong Khoi quarter.
Four decorative azure-colored minarets crown the white-and-blue mosque. The muezzin's calls to prayer are not heard from them, and the daily ritual of Muslim countries - the five daily prayers - is not observed here at all. The ceremonial prayer is held here only on Fridays.
The Central Mosque of Ho Chi Minh City was built by Islamic settlers from South India; there are 12 mosques in the city in total. But because of the war in Vietnam, a great many visitors, including Muslims, left the country. Today, all the city's mosques serve only about 6000 worshippers, so Islamic traditions are not observed here as strictly as in Islamic states. Nevertheless, if you want to see the interior, you should wear modest clothing and, of course, remove your shoes before entering the premises.
The mosque's interior is simple and unpretentious, especially in contrast to colorful Chinese or Buddhist temples, because, as you know, Islam forbids depictions of living beings. So all the beauty lies in the intricate tile patterns and the graceful lines of the windows and decorative arches.
