Ningxia is one of China's poorest provincial-level regions, but the local government is hoping to take advantage of the area's predominant religion - Islam - to provide a much-needed economic boost.
The Capital of the Ningxia Hui Muslim Region
![Elderly Huis, who attend prayer services and chat with their neighbors, are regular visitors to the Na Jia Hu Mosque courtyard. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/9b046e79-122f-4253-9716-85a03e854afd_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Elderly Huis, who attend prayer services and chat with their neighbors, are regular visitors to the Na Jia Hu Mosque courtyard. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)
![Butchers cut halal meat at a stand near Na Jia Hu Mosque. In its bid to attract Muslim trade, Yinchuan has focused on the production and sale of halal food. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/9089a9c6-fdda-46a2-9379-f56a6ac074d5_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Butchers cut halal meat at a stand near Na Jia Hu Mosque. In its bid to attract Muslim trade, Yinchuan has focused on the production and sale of halal food. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)
![The main entrance to the China Hui Nationality Culture Garden, on the outskirts of Yinchuan, resembles the Taj Mahal and was opened in 2005 to celebrate Hui Muslim cultural identity. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/8cd1dda5-3b13-4eeb-8028-9e189880d9a7_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The main entrance to the China Hui Nationality Culture Garden, on the outskirts of Yinchuan, resembles the Taj Mahal and was opened in 2005 to celebrate Hui Muslim cultural identity. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)
![The Hui Museum shop inside the garden displays a variety of women's headscarves. Hui women are subject to clothing rules that are less strict than other Muslim groups, and Hui Muslims allow women to become imams. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/285ee2b1-28c4-4d3a-95b3-2f112ec6f84c_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The Hui Museum shop inside the garden displays a variety of women's headscarves. Hui women are subject to clothing rules that are less strict than other Muslim groups, and Hui Muslims allow women to become imams. (Stephanie Ho/VOA)