The Chinese government’s efforts to “Sinicize” religion, particularly Islam, have been brought to light in a series of leaked documents, revealing a systematic plan to control and reshape religious practices in the country.
President Xi Jinping’s push for the “Sinization of religion” was first mentioned in 2015, following a crackdown on violent terrorism in Xinjiang. The leaked document known as “Document 10” outlines plans to guide Islam to adapt to socialist society, including reducing the number of mosques and forbidding the use of Arabic.
The state-run China Islamic Association has also produced a “Five Year Plan For The Sinisisation Of Islam,” which emphasizes the use of the nation’s common language for preaching and the inclusion of visual reminders of state importance in mosques.
Critics, including Ma Haiyun, an associate professor at Frostburg State University and a member of the Hui community, believe that the Chinese government’s ultimate goal is to eliminate religion altogether in order to maintain control and loyalty among the population.
The Chinese embassy in London has defended its policies, stating that freedom of religious belief is protected and that over 20 million Muslims in China are free to practice their religion in accordance with the law. They also claim that architectural changes to mosques are necessary for safety and cleanliness reasons.
Despite the Chinese government’s assertions, the leaked documents have raised concerns about the erosion of religious freedom in the country and the potential impact on minority communities. The debate over the role of religion in Chinese society is likely to continue as the government’s efforts to “Sinicize” religion persist.