WUZHONG, Ningxia: People of the Hui ethnic group welcomed the Olympic torch yesterday, as it passed through this prefecture-level city.

More than half the 1.3 million people living in Wuzhong are Hui, and Jahariyah - a renowned Muslim school - originated here. There are several other influential Muslim schools in the city, dating back many centuries.

The relay started from Wuzhong Middle School, with Huo Qinghua - the owner of a coal and iron mining company - running the first of 193 legs.