CHINA: ISLAM SPREADING IN CHINA

Islam grows in Red China

DOHA • Islam is flourishing under liberal Communist China. The religion is fast spreading in the red turf, said a visiting Chinese team.

Mowlana Rozy, who, is a member of six member Chinese interpreters arrived here as the Asian Games volunteers for Q-Post, told The Peninsula yesterday that China is witnessing an Islamic resurgence.

"Islam is enjoying all sorts of freedom under the communist regime. China is also promoting Arabic language through various universities", he said.

Across China, there are over 30 million Muslims. The North-Western part of China has the maximum number of Muslim population. With over 14 million Muslims, Xing Yang province has the distinction of being home to the largest Muslim community in China. There are several private schools teaching Islamic doctrines and Arabic language across the North-Western provinces, Rozy said.

Ningxia, Gansun and Qinghai are the provinces where the large Muslim community has its larger presence. In Ningxia 3000 students are undergoing training to become Imams. Another 5,000 are studying Arabic or Islamic doctrines.

“China has no State religion. It has 56 minority communities, 66 different languages and many religions. There is virtually no restriction on the freedom of belief in China. Citizens are free to choose their religion. People are also free to embrace the religion of their choice”, Rozy said.

As a Muslim, Rozy is grateful to his country. For, the government has relaxed its family planning programme for the Muslim community. While, China has directed the families of majority community not to have more than one child, the government has permitted Muslim couple to have two children.

Economic reforms in China have also led to increased trade with Middle East sparking an enormous demand for interpreters and translators. This has led more students opting for Arabic language courses.

All the team members, except one, are Muslims and all are fluent in Arabic.

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