Islamic Association of China

Headquarters of the Islamic Association of China in Beijing

The Islamic Association of China (simplified Chinese: 中国伊斯兰教协会; traditional Chinese: 中國伊斯蘭教協會; pinyin: Zhōngguó Yīsīlánjiào Xiéhuì; Wade–Giles: Chung-kuo I-szŭ-lan-chiao Hsieh-hui) is the official national religious organization for Muslims of all ethnic groups in China. The association is overseen by the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China following the State Administration for Religious Affairs' absorption into the United Front Work Department in 2018.^[1]

History[]

The main entrance to the Islamic Association of China

In July 1952, Muslim leaders Burhan Shahidi, Liu Geping, Saifuddin Azizi, Yang Jingren, Pu-sheng, Ma Jian, Pang Shiqian and Ma Yuhuai met in Beijing to discuss founding a Chinese Islamic association. The Islamic Association of China was established on May 11, 1953 as the first unified national Islamic organization, designed to build bridges between all Chinese Muslims. At its inaugural meeting on May 11, 1953 in Beijing, representatives from 10 nationalities of the People's Republic of China were in attendance. Since its founding, there have been eight national conferences.^{[citation needed]}

Activities[]

The Association's primary tasks are:

To observe Islamic principles in the context of service
To educate Muslims in religious issues for social development
To train Islamic teachers
To identify and organize the historic and cultural heritage of Islam, and to conduct Islamic academic and cultural research, compiling and publishing books by the membership
To establish and improve the management of Islam within Chinese law
To guide academic work and exchange experiences
To promote of Islamic associations and mosques around the country in community service, charity and self-improvement
To organize people of all nationalities to visit the Muslim holy city to Mecca to fulfill their Hajj
To carry out friendly exchanges with Muslims and Islamic organizations to foster international cooperation

Its stated missions and duties are:

To assist the people's government in its implementation of the policy of freedom of religion
To carry forward the tradition of Islam
To cherish the motherland
To unify Muslims in participating in the socialist construction of the motherland
To develop friendly relations with Muslims in other countries
To maintain world peace
To collect and correct historical data about Islam

Departments[]

Academic Department
International Department
Office of Hajj
Research Department
Editorial Department

Leaders[]

The incumbent president is Xilalunding Chen Guangyuan,^[2]^{[unreliable source?]}^[3]^{[unreliable source?]} and the vice-president is Juma Taier.^{[citation needed]}

Past presidents are: