Human Rights Watch report that widespread mosque hunting in China Madhyamam

Beijing: Human Rights Watch reports that hundreds of mosques have been destroyed in China over the years. In recent years, Muslim places of worship have been demolished or closed en masse in Ningxia and Gansu provinces, where the majority of the Muslim population resides, after the Uyghur province of Xinjiang. Human Rights Watch says the move is part of a systematic effort to prevent the practice of Islam in China, which has a Muslim population of two million. Although there have been measures in the past, it has gained momentum recently, which is cause for concern.

After 2020, nearly 1,300 registered mosques in Ningxia alone have been closed. There are other unregistered places of worship that have been demolished or closed down. In 2019 alone, 214 mosques were defaced in the city of Shongwei with a population of 1 million. In Jingui town, the figure is 130. According to the report, the complete removal of Islamic sculptural signs is mainly carried out.

Australian Strategic Policy previously reported that 16,000 mosques have been completely or partially demolished since 2017 in Xinjiang, which has previously gained international attention due to the persecution of Uyghurs. Two-thirds of the shrines here have been destroyed.

In April 2018, the Chinese government issued an order for government officials to strictly control the construction and design of centers where Islamic activities take place. It also demanded that the goal should be “destroy more, build less”. The order was a continuation of the religious ban that has been tightened since Xi Jinping took control of the Chinese government in 2016.

A satellite survey conducted by Human Rights Watch researchers in two villages in Ningxia found that between 2019 and 2021, seven mosques had their minarets and domes removed. The main halls of three were destroyed while the ablution area of ​​one was destroyed. An imam in Ningxia says the practice is to allow only one mosque within a 2.5km radius.

After Xinjiang, the action in Ningxia is a test of erasing Islamic imprints in other provinces. After first removing the signs of the mosque, including the minarets, the denial, including the ablution facility for worship, is then implemented. As soon as Namaz ends, they are closed because people are not coming.

In 2018, authorities banned children under 16 from participating in religious ceremonies in Lingxia province. The report also says that many mosques here have been converted into cultural centers in 2019. Similarly, the removal of crosses and other symbols from the top of churches in the Tibetan region is also illegal.