China to sinicise Islam in 5-year plan

Move comes amid criticism of Beijing for clampdown on Muslims in Xinjiang

Worshippers in the mosque at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute during a Chinese government-organised trip last week in Urumqi, Xinjiang.
Worshippers in the mosque at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute during a Chinese government-organised trip last week in Urumqi, Xinjiang. PHOTO: REUTERS
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China has passed a five-year plan to make Islam more Chinese, even as it faces withering criticism over its large-scale detention of Muslims in Xinjiang.

The plan aims "to guide Islam to be compatible with socialism and implement measures to sinicise the religion" so as to foster patriotism.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 11, 2019, with the headline China to sinicise Islam in 5-year plan. Subscribe