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China: In the course of 1949 the communists obtained full control of the mainland of Chinak. In first October 1949, Mao Zedong, the founder of communist party, announced China as Peoples Republic of China (Zhonghua Remmin Gonghe Guo).
It is situated in the East Asia. It is bounded in the north by Russia and Mongolia, east by North Korea, the yellow sea and the East China Sea, south by Vietnam, Laos, Burma, India, Bhutan and Nepal, west by India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kirghizistan and Kazakhstan.
Area: The total area (including Taiwan)l is estimated at 9.572.900 sq. Kmm
Currency: Its currency is Yuan. One Yuan is almost equal to $.0.11.
Population: The population of China is estimated to be 1.270.000.000 by this year.n
Muslims are found in every province of China, being numerous in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Hebei, Honan, Shandong, Sichuan and Shanxi.
Percentage of Muslims in the area: The total numbers of Muslims are 28m, according to 1992 population census.
This number shows that Muslims in China are about 4%. But actually it is more than 8% .
Following the Islamic conquests to the east, Islam was widespreaded even reached at the Chinese border in the first century of Hijiriya.
According to Muslim history, Islam was introduced into China as following ways:
1. According to a Chinese Narration, the Chinese Emperor Tang II sent a mission to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his lifetime asking him to send an Islamic group to preach Islam In China. Muhammad (peace be upon him) accepted the request and sent three men. Two of them died during the long journey, one reached to China. The Emperor built a mosque to him. Then he started to preach Islam there.
2. During the days of the third caliph of Islam, Hadrat Ottoman, a Muslim deputation led by Saad bin Abi Waqqas visited China in 651 A.D (29A.H.) to invite the Chinese emperor to embrace Islam. They built a magnificent mosque in Canton city.
3.Islamic Army led by Qutayba bin Muslim conquered
Kashighar the capital city of East Turkistanj in 714 AD. (AH.) Then he sent a mission to China to invite the Chinese Emperor to embrace Islamk.
4. In 757 A.D. (138 A.H) General Lien Chen revolted against Emperor Su Tsung. On a request for help from the Emperor, the Abbasid caliph, Al- Mansur deputed a unit of 4.000-armed Turk Muslim troops to China. With their help the Emperor overpowered the rebellion. After crashing the rebellion the Turk soldiers settled in China. They married Chinese women l. Then Islam started to be spreaded.
5. Some preachers went to China by sea with caravan of traders and started preaching Islam in Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc m.
6. In the 4th century A.H. (10th AD), the king of East Turkistan Sutuq Bughra khan embraced Islam. Then it became easy to propagate Islam inside Turkistan and China widelyn.
7. Uyghurs who were living in East Turkistan, after they embraced Islam started to preach it inside East Turkistan and Chinao in the sake of Allah.
8. When the Chinese Emperors came to know the good characters of Islam and Muslims, appointed some Muslims on some provinces as officials. Then they started to preach Islam doing the best for itj.
The early Muslims settling in China saw all sorts of times and conditions.
Muslims in China have still seen 7 periods under its control;
1-Tang period. It was ended 907 A.D.
2- Suing period from 907-1279 A.D.
3- Yunnan periods 1280-1368 A.D.
4- Ming period 1368-1644.
In these four periods, step-by-step, the numbers of Muslims were increased very highly and they were encouraged in every aspects of life by the Chinese Emperors educationally, politically, economically, and socially. There were so much Good results in Muslims work for Islamk.
5-The period of Manchu 1644-1911 A.D. The long rule of Manchu dynasty was the hardest for the Muslims. During that period the following five wars were waged against the Muslims:
I. the Lanchu war, ii. The Chekamo war, iii. The Sinkiang (Xinjiang East Turkistan) war. iv. The Yunnan war, and v. the Shansi war.
In these destructive wars the Muslims suffered inestimable losses. Countless Muslims were martyred. Half of Kan Sus population totaling 15 million was Muslim. Only 5 millions could escape alive. Chinese Muslims sustained similar setbacks in several other small and big wars. During the past three centuries the Muslim population has decreased at 30%l.
In 1759 the first war was waged between East Turkistan and Chinese Manchu. In this war East Turkistan was defeated and more then one million Muslims killed. After the war the Manchu controlled East Turkistan 1759-1863. During this period there were 42 revolutions. The one got its victory in 1863. The independent Islamic East Turkistan announced and continued for 13 years. Then in 1876 the Chinese Manchu General Zo Zong Tang started again its occupation on East Turkistan and after his victory called it Xinjiang (New Earth).
6- The period of Nationalist Republic of China. The founder of this Republic, Sun Zhong San, announced that the Republic has formed five Nations: Han, Manchu, Mongol, Hui, and Zang Zu, and each nation were given full rights in religious freedom. According to this Rule, the Chinese Muslims again started Islamic Dawah, established Masques, Islamic centers and the Number of Muslims was increased again and they advanced educationally, economically and sociallyj.
During this period several wars were waged between China and East Turkistan. East Turkistan got its victory twice and renewed its name as Islamic Republic of East Turkistan. One was in 1932 and another was in 1944k. But the result of the Jihad completely destroyed by Chinese and Russian air and ground forces for several years against the Muslims. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were killed.
7-The period of Peoples Republic of China. It is a communist ruled country. Its founder was Mao Zedong. In 1949 he announced it as The Peoples Republic of China. Muslims are now under its full control even East Turkistan.
During 1949-1980, Muslims were killed in large scales. Mosques and Islamic centers destroyed or changed into Museumsl.
In 1976, Hua Goa Ping came on power and in 1979 announced that every nation has the right of freedom in religious. Then Muslims started building mosques Islamic centers and preaching Islam again. But Deng Xia Ping and Zhiang Zemen came on power in 1989. They again started to be so strict on Muslims especially on Muslims in East Turkistan because of their independent quarrel.
Now the muslins in China are straggling to keep their right and their religion, Islam.
Chapter IV
Major Problems of Muslims in China:
Introduction:
In China, there are 10 nations who believe in Islam. Their percentage is more than 8%.
They are Uighur, Hui, Kazakh, Uzbek, Kirghiz, Tatar, Sala, Dungxiang and Tajik. They are living under rule of Communist. So they always face many and many problems; educationally, politically, economically and socially in their life. Because the Government always crushes, persecutes and damages Muslims to decrease their number, to remove their influence, entity and identity, to cut off their relationship with other Muslim brothers in Muslim World. For example, during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) millions of Muslims killed in large scale, almost all mosques were destroyed. The sets of Holy Koran, Hadith Books, Fiqh, Islamic History and Seerah were completely burnt. Many Ulemas were killed or put in prison. This was a crazy moment.
We can summarize the present problems of Muslims in China as following:
Educational problems:
After 1977, the Government adopted a policy of religious tolerance, and the 1982 Constitution states that civilians enjoy freedom of religious belief, and that legitimate religious activities are protected.
Following this the Islamic scholars who did not die in prison were freed. Many mosques have reopened. The Ulemas started to teach Islam for Muslim children. This continued until 1988. During this short period many students were trained in Islamic fields. They started to work hard for Islam. This is in one hand but in the other hand, the Government has restricted the religious activities and the constitution says that under age of 18 is not allowed to study Islam. Muslim children have to study in Government schools. The teaching system is secular. They have no right to attend or perform Islamic activities as prayers, etc. It is illegal for them to read and translate Islamic Books as Holy Koran, Hadith, Fiqh, Islamic Histories and Seerah. Those who are out of 18, they have only right to perform prayer, recite Holy Koran and that is all what they are allowed to do.
Collecting charity to support Muslim students or poor people, establishing Darul-Ulums, Islamic centers and use of mass media even in the traditional way i.e. publishing books, newsletters etc, is strongly restricted. This makes Muslims away to think about new mass media i.e. radio, TV, magazines.
Of course, there are some Institutes to train Imams who deliver official speeches in mosques on the behalf of Government officials in spreading influence of the Communist Party. They are used to against Islam in case of necessity to keep muslims silent even they are crushed, oppressed and killed in a frenzy way.
Political problems:
China is one party system country. Its rule does not allow any religious citizens or nations to participate in political fields with their belief. All party leaders should be communist. So Muslims have no right to take part in politics in China. The government does not recognize entity and identity of Muslims. They have no right to vote and to form any party even any organization, school, hospital, place of worship, etc, even if the region is Muslim majority like Xinjiang (East Turkistan). The government does not issue passports for the Muslims who want to travel abroad, because it has the doubt that if they travel, they will perform Hajj and Umrah, they will meet with their other Muslim brothers, they will exchange views and ideas, they will study Islam and they discuss their problems and try to solve them. So the Muslims are discouraged to participate in politics in order to make them weaker or we can say forbidden from politics.
Economical problems:
The Chinese government keeps its eyes on Muslims. It has till doubt that if the Muslims develop in economic fields they will cooperate each other, they will work for their religion. So it always crushes Muslims in economically. They have no right to give financial support for their Muslim brothers each other. There are a lot of taxes, without any reason on Muslims to pay. They removed from key posts, their ownership right is nationalized, and even some times their property is expropriated. Due to these reasons Muslims in china live in very poor condition. They work very hard but earn nothing at the end of year. This is why Muslims are decreased in economics.
Social problems:
Muslims in china face many and many social problems. They are encouraged to leave their Islamic characters and to adopt unislamic society. Following Islam is shown as baseless, because it restricts Muslims from going to night clubs drinking wine, eating meat of pigs, etc, having boyfriends and girlfriends, marrying with non Muslims having illicit relationships illegally as having intercourse without marrying legally. The government encourages Muslims to leave all Islamic culture and customs. If any Muslim girl or boy marries with non-Muslim boy or girl he or she will be given financial support.
All of these are the governments plans to damage, to nibble, to absorb, and to assimilate Muslims and to make them no longer existed in their entity and identity.
In China, during the Cultural Revolution 1966-1967, places of worship were closed all mosques were destroyed or changed into museums. After 1977, the Government adopted a policy of religious tolerance, and the 1982 Constitution states that civilians enjoy freedom of religious belief and that legitimate religious activities are protected. Many mosques have reopened. or rebuilt.
Then some Islamic Institutions have been built in some provinces where Muslim Majority is living. For example, there is an Islamic Institute in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang (East Turkistan). In Lanchu, there are two Islamic Institutions. In Beijing there is one, in Ninshia there is one, in Xian there is one, etc, and there are two Islamic associations; China Islamic Association and Beijing Islamic Association. Those institutions and these associations are built or associated for the function of the Government. They are not for the function of Islam. Whenever a Muslim president, leader or Islamic mission wants to visit the Muslims in China, the Government shows him the students of those Institutions and the members of these associations.
In this way, the Government plays very important role in the diplomatic matters with Muslim countries. This is a pure lie and trick. These students and these members work to keep Muslims silent; they work for Islam but less and less. The Government controls them strictly.
So how Islam is kept in China? Islam is kept in China by Muslim scholars, who were in prison for long time and who did not die, freed n 1980 and started to teach Islam for the Muslim youth in mosques until they were stopped in 1988 again.
During this short period some clever Muslim students have been trained even some of them have been studying abroad e.g. Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia etc in Islamic Universities. Those well-experienced scholars did their best for Islam and still are doing.
The students are also with the help of Allah and their teachers working for Islam secretly or apparently despite the danger is waiting for them, because of the strict rule of the Government against Islam.
So they need more support i.e. financially, spiritually, and materially from their brothers who are living freely in Muslim countries, to keep on Islamic Dawah in China.
Allah is our Excellent Protector, Supporter and helper.
November 22, 2000
u Being a Chinese student, I have chosen this topic in writing mid-term paper, because I understand deeply the problems of Muslim Minority who are living now in China. So I will be very happy if I can explain some of them in the best of my knowledge.
k A. Brian Hunter, the statesmens year Book, 132 Edition, P, 334, 1995-96.
l Taiwan is still an independent country but China claims it is a part of China.
m A. Brian hunter, the statesmens Year Book, 132 Edition, P.334, 1995-96
n Ibid, page 334.
It is difficult to get the information about the number if Muslims in China, because the Government shows it so much less then the reality. According to source of outside world it was 98m. In the census of 1975. It means that the Muslims are 10% there. I believe that Muslims are there about 8%.
Dr. Abdur- Rauf, 2 Edition 1994, page, 218, perozsons (Pvt.) ltd., 60, shahrahe Queide Azam, Lahore Pakistan
j East Turkistan was an independent country, not under control of China from time to time. The first Chinese occupation on East Turkistan was in 1759, the second was in 1876, and third one was in 1949. Now it is under control of China.
k Muhyiddin Hassan, important problems in the present Islamic World, 1987 second published. Maktabul Islamic, Beirut, P.113, in Arabic.
l Dr. Abdur-Rauf, history of Islam (illustrated), 2 Edition 1994, F. Ltd. 60, p.219, S.Q.A, Lahore, Pakistan.
m Dr. J. Abdullah, Present Islamic World, Part 2, Published in Saudi Arabia, in Arabic.
n Muhyiddin Hasan, important problems in present Islamic World, 1987 second published, Maktabul Islami, Beirut, page: 113-114, in Arabic.
o Dr. J.Abdullah, Present Islamic world, part 2, p. 497, published in Saudi Arabia, in Arabic.
j Ibid, page 496.
k Dr. J. Abdullah, present Islamic world, part 2, page. 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, p Saudi Arabia, in Arabic.
l Dr. Abdur- Rauf, 2-Edition 1994, page, 219 ferozsons (Pvt,) Ltd. 60, shahrahe Quaide Azam, Lahore, Pakistan.
l Dr. Jameel Abdullah, present Islamic world, part 2, p.in Saudi Arabia, page.505, 506, 507 in Arabic.
k Ibid, page 509, in Arabic.
l Ibid, page 511, in Arabic.
China tries to show Muslims small in number and its census in 1992 showed the number of Muslims were 28 million. Look at the statesmans yearbook for A. Brain Hunter; page 334, 132Editions, 1995-98. But the census of outside source in 1975 showed that they were 98 millions. This means that Muslims are 10%. Look at important problems of present Islamic world, for Dr. Muhyiddin Hassan, page 119, Maktabul islami, Beirut in Arabic.