Islamic scholars return from China, hail religious freedom in Xinjiang

LAHORE: An 11-member delegation of scholars, led by Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, has returned after a successful 10-day visit to China, invited by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation visited Beijing, Xi’an, Kashgar, and Urumqi, where they held discussions with representatives from the ministry of foreign affairs, mosque committees in various cities, and leaders of the Communist Party.

They also visited the ancient Xi’an Mosque, the Eidgah Mosque in Kashgar, and the Xinjiang Muslim Institute, meeting with prominent Muslim leaders such as Sheikh Abdul Raqeeb, Sheikh Ibrahim, and Sheikh Juma.Commenting on the visit, Dr. Naeemi said that Muslims in Xinjiang, China’s westernmost province, enjoy both religious and economic freedom due to the Chinese government’s positive policies.

He emphasised that the government is actively restoring places of worship for religious minorities and preserving their cultural traditions. Under the guidance of the Islamic Association of Xinjiang, the Muslim Institute trains imams and khateebs for mosques and is responsible for publishing the Quran and other religious books.

Thanks to Chinese government investments worth billions of yuan, the economic conditions of Muslims in Xinjiang, particularly in Kashgar, are improving. Kashgar’s ancient city has been renovated and reopened to tourists, where approximately 170,000 Muslims reside.

This transformation has significantly boosted the local economy and contributed to a marked reduction in extremism. Since 2016, efforts have successfully eradicated terrorism in the region.

Dr. Naeemi highlighted the similarities between Pakistan and China in their fight against terrorism and extremism, stressing that both countries could benefit from each other’s experiences. The delegation also visited the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Afaq Naqshbandi in Kashgar.

The delegation included Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, Maulana Muhammad Idrees, Allama Allah Bakhsh Kalyar, Maulana Muhammad Tahir, Maulana Abdul Waheed, and others.

This visit is considered significant in enhancing Pakistan-China relations, particularly concerning the Muslim community, and will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy and the ministry of foreign affairs for facilitating the successful trip.