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Issue 30: ‘Sinicization’ of Religion

Issue 30: ‘Sinicization’ of Religion

World Uyghur Congress, 14 June 2018

In the past few years, China has dramatically escalated its so-called “sinicization” of religion, a “far-reaching strategy to control, govern, and manipulate all aspects of faith into a socialist mold infused with “Chinese characteristics,”” according to the 2018 Annual Report of the US Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The strategy has increased the already overbearing restrictions on religion and religious repression of Uyghur Muslims.

A White Paper published by the Chinese government on 3 April 2018 further evidences this, saying that China must “explore religious thought which conforms to the reality in China”. The aim of this strategy is to totally culturally assimilate any ethnic or religious groups that differs from the Han-centric conception of the CCP. The ideological underpinnings of China’s treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians and other religious groups is an unwillingness to accept any other source of values or belief, besides the CCP. ‘Sinicization’ of religion really intends to force Uyghurs to be loyal to the Communist Party, rather than to their religion.

Many of the other elements of the religious persecution of Uyghurs fall under this policy. The removal of religious iconography, ban on beards and veils, control of imams, destruction of mosques, indoctrination of children and other violations of religious freedom all support the assimilatory aims of the Chinese government. The ‘sinicization’ of Islam in East Turkistan essentially makes meaningful religious practice impossible.