The Chinese government’s efforts to “Sinicize” religion, particularly Islam, have come under scrutiny with the recent leak of internal documents outlining plans to control and adapt religious practices to fit within a socialist society.
President Xi Jinping’s push for the “Sinization of religion” was first mentioned in 2015, following a series of violent attacks by Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The leaked document, known as “Document 10,” details a strategy to reduce the number of mosques and forbid the use of Arabic, while also mandating that party members be atheists.
Additionally, the state-run China Islamic Association has produced a “Five Year Plan For The Sinisisation Of Islam,” which emphasizes the use of the nation’s common language for preaching and the separation of religion and education. The plan also calls for mosques to display visual reminders of state importance, such as the national flag and Core Socialist Values.
Critics, including Ma Haiyun, an associate professor and member of the Hui community in exile, argue that the Chinese government’s 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 religious freedom is protected by law and that over 20 million Muslims in China are free to practice their religion. They also claim that mosque renovations are necessary for safety and cleanliness, responding to the needs of Muslim communities.
As the debate over religious freedom and government control continues, the leaked documents shed light on China’s efforts to reshape religious practices to align with socialist ideology.