According to Human Rights Watch, the Chinese government is broadening its mosque closure campaign beyond the widely condemned Xinjiang region, extending to northern Ningxia region and Gansu province. An area inhabited by significant populations of Hui Muslims, a distinct ethno-religious Chinese group numbering over 10 million individuals, both Ningxia and Gansu are witnessing an increase in government-led ‘consolidation’ initiatives. Officially referred to as “consolidation,” these initiatives involve the shutdown of religious institutions and a remodeling of architectural features to harmonize with Chinese aesthetics, as revealed by the report which was released on Wednesday.
The consolidation efforts have invoked widespread concern, with critics such as Maya Wang, acting China director at Human Rights Watch, stating that these policies violate the principle of religious freedom. Wang argues that the government is not “consolidating,” as it claims, but closing many mosques as a calculated effort to suppress Islamic practices in China.
The concept of “mosque consolidation” first emerged in an internal party document from April 2018, which instructed state agencies nationwide to standardize the management of Islamic religious venues, while specifically stating that no new mosques should be constructed. This move is seen as an attempt to reduce their overall number.
Responses from the Chinese Foreign Ministry to an Associated Press request for comment stress the importance of protecting and repairing mosques. Still, they categorically reject claims of bias and political manipulation.
China’s treatment of Muslim minorities, particularly concerning the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, has attracted international scrutiny and condemnation. Countries including the United States, Canada, and France have expressed concerns over China’s actions. In August 2022, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report alleging credible patterns of serious human rights violations warranting investigation by an impartial international mechanism.
In a similar vein, the French National Assembly adopted a resolution in January 2022 condemning China’s alleged genocide of Uyghurs. A UN report from last year raised concerns about potential “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang, indicating construction of internment camps that may have held over a million Uyghurs, Huis, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz.
The comprehensive picture that emerges from this chain of events signals increasing international concern over China’s treatment of its Muslim population. As the Chinese government expands its mosque “consolidation” initiative, legal professionals worldwide will continue to monitor this evolving situation with a critical eye.