Islam in China

Цитата:
Islam in China, in five chapters, depicts the introduction and influence of Islam in China, including the development and flourish of the Islamic mosques, the nationalization of Islam in the country, the combination of Islam with traditional Chinese cultures, the discrimination the Muslims had to face, and the Chinese Muslims¡¯ participation in the war of resistance against Japan. With green-tinted photos and illustrations.

Summary: A very interesting, if not partial, account of the history of Islam in China
Rating: 5

Islam in China is a fairly quick read that deals more with the positive aspects of China’s relationship with the ten government recognized Muslim minority groups. It details the origins of Islam in China fairly accurately (in comparison with various other articles and scholastic journals I have read). If you have interest in the struggles, revolts, riots, and other issues that have occurred throughout Chinese Muslim history, I would seek another book however. It is obviously written from the point of view of a Han Chinese, and does not in any way attempt to sympathize or even acknowledge the possibility of unrest within certain Muslim communities (especially the Uyghur people within Xinjiang). For example, Islam in China emphasizes the success of suping “separatist thought”, but takes no time in discussing the reason there is a desire for, or movement towards Xinjiang independence. Still, this book pres a great counter point to the “restless” articles about opion, mistreatment, and misrepresentation found in Xinjiang today. While there are many arguments about the relationship between China and it’s Muslim population, the current level of religious tolerance within China is at one of it’s highest points in history (just don’t bad mouth the government or use the word “separatist” and you can pray to just about any god you want.) I would recommend seeking out Islam in China by Raphael Israeli, “The Pure and True Religion in China” by L.J. Newby in Third World Quarterly, Vol. 10, No.2, and “The Not-So-Silent Majority: Uyghur Resistance to Han Rule in Xinjiang” by Gardner Bovingdon in Modern China, Vol. 28, No. 1. These all pre excellent supplementary material for what is missing in Islam in China, and also sheds some light on the possible ulterior motives for China’s newer “lax” attitude towards Islam.

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