China has closed hundreds of mosques in northern regions

Authorities in China have closed or modified hundreds of mosques in the northern regions of Ningxia and Gansu, home to significant Muslim populations, as part of efforts to “sinicize” religious minorities.

The control of China over religious and ethnic minorities has intensified since 2016, with a directive in 2018 emphasizing strict control over Islamic activity venues.

Researchers from Human Rights Watch (HRW) analyzed satellite imagery, finding that mosques in Ningxia had undergone significant alterations, including the removal of domes and minarets.

It is estimated that about 1,300 mosques in Ningxia have closed since 2020. The mosque consolidation policy, requiring the merging of mosques within a certain distance, has led to concerns about the erosion of Islamic practices and faith.

READ MORE: Walmart Shooting Leaves One Dead, Three Injured in Beavercreek, Ohio

HRW sees the closure and alteration of mosques as part of a systematic effort to curb Islam in China. The Chinese government maintains that people have the freedom of religious belief, and it rejects religious extremism.

This mosque consolidation policy is not limited to Ningxia and Gansu, as Xinjiang has also experienced the destruction or damage of a significant number of mosques since 2017.

In May, clashes occurred in a Hui Muslim town in Yunnan province over attempts to dismantle parts of a local mosque.

Via: The Guardian