The campaign to destroy the distinctive Islamic appearance of Muslim places of worship continues in Yunnan notwithstanding the protests.
by Ma Guangyao
On June 1 and 28, 2023, Bitter Winter reported on protests over the “Sinicization” of the Najiaying Mosque in Yunnan, which led to a temporary suspension of the project that later, however, started again.
The protests notwithstanding, the “Sinicization” has now been completed. The original mosque had four minarets and one dome. They have been replaced by Chinese pagoda-style semi-towers. The fact that the mosque was listed as a protected cultural relic was ignored. Slogans such as “Listen to the Party,” “Thank the Party for its Gratitude,” and “Follow the Party” were also depicted at the entrance of the mosque.
Najaying Mosque was managed by a democratically elected committee. This has now been replaced by one whose members are appointed by the United Front Working Committee and the local Religious Affairs Office. It seems that the mandate of the new committee is mostly preventing minors from entering the mosque. This is in accordance with Chinese legislation that forbids any participation of those minor of 18, including infants in their mothers’ arms, in all kind of religious activities.
Pictures posted in social media show that the ancient mosque in Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali, Yunnan, has also been “Sinicized.” Reportedly in Tonghai County, Yunnan, which has a significant Hui Muslim population, 80% of the mosques have been “Sinicized.”