“Sinicization” of Islam continues at Full Speed

A training course told present and future imams that “Sinicizing” the religion means putting Xi Jinping’s thought at the center of Islamic activities.

By Ma Guangyao

May 2, 2025

A view of the training course. From Weibo.

The program of “Sinicization” of Chinese Islam continues. As readers of “Bitter Winter” know, “Sinicization” does not mean adapting religions to Chinese culture but submitting them to the complete control and ideology of the Chinese Communist Party.

From April 14 to 21, a specialized “Training Course on Following the Direction of Islam’s Sinicization in China for 2025” took place at the Central Academy of Socialism in Beijing. 

Yang Faming, President of the Chinese Islamic Association, and Xu Shaogang, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Dean of the Central Academy of Socialism, gave speeches at the opening ceremony. Imam Muhati Remu Xirifu, Vice President of the Chinese Islamic Association, chaired the ceremony.

In his speech, Yang Faming emphasized the importance of guiding the Muslim community in China with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implementing Xi Jinping’s speeches and documents on religious work, and following instructions from the CCP.

A session of the eight-day training course. From Weibo.

The eight-day training program featured topics such as “Studying Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” “Studying General Secretary Xi Jinping’s Key Points on Religious Work,” “Special Topics on the Sinicization of Islam,” and “Fostering a Strong Sense of Community Among the Chinese Nation.” Islamic clergy and representatives from Islamic seminaries nationwide participated.Study groups discussed the commitment to the Sinicization of Islam in China, the study of Confucianism, and the integration of Islam and Confucianism, one of the CCP’s favorite tools for the Sinicization of Islam.

Source: bitterwinter.org