When we talk about china’s approach towards religious minorities’. The first thing that comes in our mind is: China does not recognize any religion, religious minorities and specifically Muslims are being harassed, ill treated by the Chinese Government. Coming from the Muslim background, I too had the same conception about China, and there was a reason to be skeptical, worried as I had seen on The Tsinghua University website that no religious activity should be performed inside the campus; yet on the other hand when I browsed the same website I saw there is a Muslims dinning hall available for Muslim students between zijing 21 and 22 dormitories.
I arrived in Tsinghua on August 2008, after taking shower I tried to look for the Dinning hall I had seen on the website, but unfortunately I was told that the dinning hall does not serve Muslim food, though it is meant for Muslims, they buy Halhal meat, yet they mix Alcohol in the food, which makes it Haram (prohibited) for Muslims to eat. While I was looking for Muslim food, I accidently met an Indian student here in Tsinghua, who took me to a restaurant near Wudakho where I had my dinner. The night passed, the worry started again, where should I take breakfast, lunch. I decided to visit my School, the school of Public Policy and Management, but for me reaching my school was not easy as I could not speak a single Chinese word. So I started looking for some one who could speak English, fortunately I found a guy, who could speak English, I requested him to show me the school of Public policy. This was the first time when I saw the warmth of Chinese people. This student not only came with me to my school but he took me around the whole Tsinghua campus; more importantly when I told him I am Muslim, He helped me to get the dinning card, took me to another Muslim restaurant inside the Tsinghua, which is meant for Chinese Muslim students. I was elated to see Muslim restaurant, though not as sophisticated as other canteens in the campus; but the restaurant even provided me free Sehri during the month of Ramadan , which I had never expected to get here.
With the passing time, I came to know china’s policy towards its minorities. I found that unlike most of the universities in the world, in china all the universities have special restaurants for Muslim students, which serve subsidized food. Besides, these Muslim restaurants inside the campus, there are a number of Muslim restaurants outside the campus as well. A Muslim can find Halhal food in every super market. From meat to milk, and from bread to ice-cream and juice, Halhal food is available all the corners of Beijing
Outside the university campus, China offered me a chance to visit one of the oldest mosques of Islam; Niujie Mosque in Beijing, which was built in 996 AD. It was again surprising for me to see men and women flock together to offer the prayers. The gathering was so huge I thought I am somewhere in a Muslim country.
When we look back to Chinese history since Mao’s period, Muslims were least affected even in the Cultural Revolution period. Chinese government has been always effectively protecting the Muslims community and their sentiments. The example of these policies can be seen from the Pig year 2007, when China banned any mention of pigs in the TV adds, in order not to antagonize Muslim community in China which constitute two percent of china’s population .
As I become familiar with the people, culture, and society here in China , I don’t see any problem in practicing my religion, I some times feel more secure, empowered than in my homeland.
While looking at China’s pro minority policies, I realize whey china is so close to Muslim world, Whether it is china’s all time close friend Pakistan, or it is Saudi Arabiya, Iran, or any other Muslim country; China has a cordial relation with whole Muslim world. The result of that can be seen not a single Chinese person was touched in Iraq, and in Afghanistan. Ultimately truth prevails, beyond media rhetoric I would say Muslims in Beijing are freer, independent and empowered then many Muslim communities in the world.
