China’s Crackdown on Religion: The Sinization of Islam and the Elimination of Beliefs
The Chinese government’s efforts to “Sinicize” religion, particularly Islam, have come under scrutiny following the leak of internal documents detailing plans to control and reshape religious practices in the country.
President Xi Jinping’s push for the “Sinization of religion” was first mentioned in 2015, coinciding with the launch of the “Strike Hard Campaign” against violent terrorism. This policy led to a crackdown in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs faced severe restrictions on their religious practices.
One leaked document, known as “Document 10,” outlines plans to guide Islam to adapt to socialist society by reducing the number of mosques and forbidding the use of Arabic. The state-run China Islamic Association also produced a “Five Year Plan For The Sinisisation Of Islam,” emphasizing the need to promote the nation’s common language and enforce the separation of religion and education.
Critics, including Ma Haiyun, an associate professor at Frostburg State University, argue that the Chinese government’s ultimate goal is to eliminate religion altogether. Haiyun, a member of the Hui community, believes that the Communist Party seeks to establish complete control over social and cultural influence.
In response to the leaked documents, Chinese officials have dismissed them as fabrications aimed at undermining China’s counter-terrorism efforts. The Chinese embassy in London maintains that believers’ normal religious activities are protected by law and that over 20 million Muslims in China are free to practice their religion in accordance with regulations.
Despite the government’s claims, concerns remain about the architectural changes being made to mosques in certain regions. The Chinese embassy in London defends these changes as necessary to ensure the safety and functionality of dilapidated mosques, but critics argue that they are part of a broader effort to exert control over religious practices.
As China continues its efforts to “Sinicize” religion, the debate over the government’s true intentions and the impact on religious freedom in the country is likely to persist.
