Longgang Mosque Introduction
Don't think that Islamic culture is far and unreachable; you can explore the beauty of this foreign culture in the Longgang area of Taoyuan. Islam, alongside Buddhism and Christianity, is one of the three major religions, accounting for one-fifth of the global faith population. Currently, there are at least nine mosques in Taiwan, with the "Longgang Mosque" being one of the few historical mosques in Taiwan. The mosque features elements of Islamic culture in its entrance gate, main hall, and separate prayer rooms for men and women, making it one of the important centers of Islamic faith in northern Taiwan. The mosque is hidden beside the Zhongzheng Market, located in the culturally diverse Longgang area, which has residents who originated from Yunnan and the Thai-Myanmar border and retreated to Taiwan in the mid-1950s. Among them are many Muslim believers who wished for a stable place to practice their religious activities. They felt the distance to the Taipei Mosque prevented them from regularly attending prayers, which led to the idea of building a mosque. With the help of the Islamic Association, fundraising efforts led to the establishment of this center of Islamic faith, the mosque, in 1964. It was renovated in 1989, maintaining its appearance to this day, and has become the faith center for Islam in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli areas. Upon arriving at the entrance and seeing the crescent moon symbol, which holds significant meaning for Muslims, you will know you have reached the Longgang Mosque. Covering nearly 400 square meters, the prayer hall can accommodate more than 150 people. Although the exterior is not heavily decorated, it features green as the main color, symbolizing freedom and reflecting the characteristics of Muslims who cherish peace. Additionally, there are offices, a reception area, and prayer rooms; every Friday is the biggest gathering time for prayers, with men and women separated into different prayer halls to kneel before Allah, making it the best meeting place for believers far from home. Due to its unique historical and cultural background, the Longgang area has developed a distinct foreign culture and cuisine. Near the mosque, you can often meet women in headscarves and men in caps. When in Longgang, you must not miss the authentic Yunnan-Myanmar-Thai cuisine. Walking through the Zhongzheng Market, the most common sight is rice noodle shops, as well as Thai-style papaya salad, handmade flaky buns, and hidden gem snacks like Yunnan spring pancakes. If time allows, take a stroll through the market stalls; the various pickled vegetables and sauces will surprise you, and specialty vegetable shops showcase rare wild vegetables like galangal, water coriander, and banana flowers, which you can buy to cook at home and create unique flavors in your dishes.
