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      An Analysis of China’s Muslim-Related Policies from the Perspectives of Ethnic Heterogeneity, Sinicization and “Anxiety Management”

      research-article
      Islamophobia Studies Journal
      Pluto Journals
      Islam in China, Chinese politics, Hui Muslims, Uyghur Muslims, ethnic issues
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            Abstract

            As an officially atheist country led by the Communist Party, China is often regarded as a nation where citizens’ freedom of religion is infringed. Despite its status as one of the five officially recognized religions in China, Islam is regarded extremely vulnerable in front of the state, as is shown by the country’s controversial policies towards its Uyghur Muslims. It is even common to hear scholars, politicians, and media labeling China as “anti-Islam.” Most research simply regards China’s Muslim-related policies as unitary, ignoring the diversity of China’s Muslim communities and the basic logics behind these policies. This article will analyze China’s Muslim-related policies based on the actual situation of ethnic heterogeneity (mainly the Hui and Uyghurs) and the central principles of Sinicization and promoting ethnic harmony. It will argue that China’s Muslim-related policies may sometimes seem like hasty “anxiety management” and may appear objectionable from a Western-liberal perspective, but they are not ill-intended and cannot simply be dichotomized as “anti-Islam.”

            Content

            Author and article information

            Journal
            10.13169/islastudj
            Islamophobia Studies Journal
            ISJ
            Pluto Journals
            2325-8381
            16 June 2022
            1 January 2022
            : 7
            : 1
            : 45-55
            Article
            10.13169/islastudj.7.1.0045
            fd6c4562-ae85-4603-bd89-303c8beaeffb
            2022 Bozhen Zhang

            All content is freely available without charge to users or their institutions. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission of the publisher or the author. Articles published in the journal are distributed under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

            History
            Page count
            Pages: 11
            Categories

            Social & Behavioral Sciences
            Islam in China,Chinese politics,Hui Muslims,Uyghur Muslims,ethnic issues

            References

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            19. . 2006. “ Interpreters, Arbiters or Outsiders: The Role of the Min Kao Han in Xinjiang Society.” Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 26, no. 1: 45– 62.

            20. . 2016. “ Guanyu woguo xibeidiqu qingzhen biaoshi fanhua wenti de jidiansikao (Study on the Generalization of Muslim Logo in Northwest China).” Journal of Hunan Police Academy, 28, no. 6: 29– 35.

            21. WSJ ( Wall Street Journal). 2007. “ Pigs Get the Ax in China TV Ads, in Nod to Muslims.” https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116969259069387154. Accessed May 17, 2021.

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