Chinese Islamic Association in Beijing
Overview
The Chinese Islamic Association (中国伊斯兰教协会, Zhōngguó Yīsīlánjiào Xiéhuì), abbreviated as “China Islamic Association,” serves as a patriotic religious organization for Muslims of various ethnicities in China. The association is headquartered in Beijing. It was initiated in July 1952 by prominent figures such as Burhan Shahidi (包尔汉·沙希迪, Bāo’ěrhàn Shāhǐdí), Liu Geping (刘格平, Liú Gépíng), Saifuddin Azizi (赛福鼎·艾则孜, Sàifúdǐng Àizérzī), Yang Jingren (杨静仁, Yáng Jìngrén), Pu Sheng (达浦生, Dápǔshēng), Ma Jian (马坚, Mǎ Jiān), Pang Shiqian (庞士谦, Páng Shìqiān), and Ma Yuhai (马玉槐, Mǎ Yùhuái) in Beijing. The association was officially established on May 11, 1953. This marked the first unprecedented nationwide Islamic organization in China’s history, symbolizing the unity of various Muslim ethnic groups and bridging communication between the party, government, and Muslims. Since its inception, the association has held ten national representative conferences. The past presidents include Burhan Shahidi, Zhang Jie (张杰, Zhāng Jié), Shen Xiaxi (沈遐熙, Shěn Xiáxī), An Shihui (安士伟, Ān Shìwěi), and Chen Guangyuan (陈广元, Chén Guāngyuán), with the current president being Yang Famong (杨发明, Yáng Fāmíng).
Objectives
The association aims to unite and lead Muslims of various ethnic groups nationwide to support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (中国共产党, Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng) and the socialist system, abide by national laws, uphold the principle of independent self-management, and promote the sinicization of Islam. It advocates a path that aligns Islam with socialist society, inheriting and promoting patriotic values, love for religion, peace, moderation, and the pursuit of happiness in both this world and the next. The association also practices socialist core values, safeguards the legal rights of the Islamic community, and promotes the healthy development of Islam in China, contributing to economic and social development, religious harmony, national unity, social stability, national unification, and world peace, as well as working towards the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the context of the Chinese Dream (中国梦, Zhōngguó mèng).
Main Responsibilities
- Conduct activities that promote religious harmony, national unity, social stability, national unification, and world peace, while educating on socialist rule of law and core values. Unite Muslims to engage in reform, opening-up, and socialist modernization for national stability and development.
- Assist the government in publicizing and implementing policies of religious freedom and laws, protect the legal rights of the Islamic community and Muslims, and reflect their opinions and demands, serving as a vital link.
- Organize various Islamic activities within the framework of the Constitution, laws, regulations, and policies.
- Promote the study of Islamic texts and provide interpretations that align with contemporary China’s development while opposing extremism.
- Develop Islamic education, establish well-run religious colleges, guide and regulate Quranic education, and train qualified Islamic personnel.
- Promote Islamic culture, disseminate information online, conduct academic research, publish Islamic texts, and protect Islamic cultural heritage.
- Establish and supervise internal regulations and manage religious personnel.
- Guide local Islamic associations in their activities.
- Legally engage in charitable and social services, supporting local Islamic associations and mosques in charitable endeavors.
- Organize pilgrimage activities and provide corresponding services.
- Foster connections with Muslims and Islamic organizations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau to enhance understanding and promote national unification.
- Engage in friendly exchanges with Muslims and Islamic organizations globally to promote communication and cooperation for national diplomatic interests.
- Participate in dialogues and collaborations with domestic and international religious organizations.
Functional Institutions
The association comprises functional institutions including the Office, Department of Religious Affairs, International Department, Office for Quranic Interpretation, Pilgrimage Office, Islamic Cultural Research Department, Chinese Muslim Editorial Department, and the Online Information Office. Specialized committees such as the Chinese Islamic Religious Guidance Committee and the Education Committee are also established, along with the China Islamic College and the magazine “Chinese Muslims” (《中国穆斯林》, Zhōngguó Mùsīlín) in both Chinese and Uyghur editions, and a portal website in both languages.
Leadership
- President: Yang Famong (杨发明, Yáng Fāmíng)
- Vice Presidents: Abduzikir Rehemudula (阿布都西克尔·热合木都拉, Ābùdūxīkè’ěr Rèhémùdúlā), Liu Baoqi (刘宝琦, Liú Bǎoqí), Ma Kaixian (马开贤, Mǎ Kāixián), Ma Wenyun (马文云, Mǎ Wényún), Adilijang Ajiklim (阿地里江·阿吉克力木, Ādilǐjiāng Ājíkèlìmù), Mu Kefan (穆可发, Mù Kěfā), Wang Shuli (王树理, Wáng Shùlǐ), Liu Kejie (刘克杰, Liú Kèjié), Abudurekufu Tumeniyazi (阿布都热克甫·土木尼牙孜, Ābùdū Rèkèfǔ Tǔmùnǐyázī), Dawuxi Duzibai (达吾克西·都孜拜, Dàwúkèxī Dūzībài), Kou Jinfā (寇金发, Kòu Jīnfā), Tuerhong Huji (吐尔洪·湖吉, Tǔ’ěrhóng Hújī), Han Zhuohui (韩卓辉, Hán Zhuóhuī), Jin Jianhua (金建华, Jīn Jiànhuá), Yang Ruiqiang (杨瑞强, Yáng Ruìqiáng), Jin Hongwei (金宏伟, Jīn Hóngwěi), Mi Shoujiang (米寿江, Mǐ Shòujiāng), Wang Wenjie (王文杰, Wáng Wénjié), Jin Rubin (金汝彬, Jīn Rǔbīn), and Cong Enlin (从恩霖, Cóng Ēnlín) as resident members.
- Secretary General: Ma Zhongping (马中平, Mǎ Zhōngpíng)
Honors Received
In December 2021, the association was awarded the title of “National Advanced Social Organization” by the Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部, Mínzhèngbù).
