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Pictorial dictionary — Qubba
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拱北 (gǒng běi)
The Chinese word gongbei (拱北) comes from the Arabic qubba, meaning tomb, especially a Muslim domed mausoleum.
The term is used mainly by Chinese-speaking Muslims for an Islamic shrine built for the grave of a Sufi master or founder of a Sufi sect.
They usually feature distinctive Arabic architectural styles, particularly the dome on the top of the grave.
However, since most such shrines were not built until the middle of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the prayer halls, meditation rooms, chanting halls, living quarters and other parts of such complexes were often designed in Chinese courtyard styles.
Typically, a gongbei was erected as a multiple-eave, hexagon tower, featuring carved beams and painted rafters. The lower parts of the walls of the tower are often decorated with brick carvings.
Today, well-known gongbei in the country include the Tomb of Sa’dibn Abi Waqqas, who is believed to be one of the earliest Muslims to visit China. The tomb is in Guangzhou.
Another well-known gongbei is the Tomb of Puhaddin in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Puhaddin was a 16th generation descendant of the prophet Muhammad.
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