China's Controversial Approach to Islam: A Deep Dive

Beyond Japan: A new human rights report reveals extensive changes to mosques throughout China, aiming to restrict and reduce Islam's presence in the country. This effort, labeled as a 'mosque unification' campaign by Chinese authorities, involves significant mosque closures.

In Xinjiang alone, authorities have demolished more than two-thirds of the mosques, placing guards to scrutinize mosque attendees and their purposes. Notably, many children are prohibited from entering mosque premises. A Muslim cleric interviewed by the BBC shared that surveillance cameras have been installed inside mosques, constantly monitoring worshipers, driven by fears that elements promoting or inciting terrorism may emerge during prayers.

In Linxia, for example, Chinese authorities have transformed mosques into 'cultural centers' or 'museums' where prayer is entirely prohibited.

In China, home to an estimated 20 million Muslims, Islam is viewed as a 'mental illness' in need of containment to prevent a 'contagion.' As a result, over a million Uyghur Muslims are detained in camps, where reports indicate harsh conditions including forced consumption of pork and alcohol, actions contrary to Islamic beliefs.

A Wall Street Journal article exposes China as responsible for one of the largest minority population incarcerations globally. Initially, the focus was on extreme Muslim elements, primarily in Beijing, but now, even minor expressions of Muslim identity, like growing a long beard or wearing traditional attire, can lead to detention.

Yet, China is undeterred by its international criticism, swiftly labeling these detention camps as hospitals designed to 'cure.' "Islam is a mental illness that requires hospitalization and reeducation," explains James Millward, a professor of Chinese history at Georgetown University.

According to Millward, the predominant fear in China is of Muslims establishing an independent state, prompting preemptive actions to deter such developments. "Failing to eradicate religious extremism at its roots could allow terrorism to spread like an incurable malignancy. Detention camps are meant to heal the mind, just like hospitals heal the body."