Islam in China: A 1,400-Year History

Islam has been present in China for nearly 1,400 years, making Chinese Muslims one of the oldest Muslim communities in the world. According to traditional accounts, the first Muslim envoy reached the Tang Dynasty court in 651 CE, just nineteen years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Arab and Persian Muslim merchants established trading communities along the Silk Road and in Chinese port cities, gradually integrating into Chinese society while maintaining their Islamic faith. Today, China is home to an estimated 25-30 million Muslims.

Early Arrival and the Tang Dynasty

Muslim merchants and diplomats arrived in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), establishing communities in Canton (Guangzhou), Quanzhou, Hangzhou, and along the Silk Road. The Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou, traditionally dated to 627 CE, is considered one of the oldest mosques in the world, though scholars debate its exact founding date. These early Muslims were known as fanke (foreign guests) and enjoyed relative freedom of worship. Some Muslim soldiers served the Tang court, notably during the An Lushan Rebellion (755-763 CE).

The Hui Muslims

The Hui are China's largest Muslim ethnic group, numbering approximately 11 million. Descended from Arab, Persian, and Central Asian Muslims who intermarried with Han Chinese over centuries, the Hui are culturally Chinese in language and many customs but maintain distinct Islamic practices. They are distributed throughout China, with significant populations in Ningxia, Gansu, Yunnan, and major cities. The Hui have produced notable scholars, generals, and officials throughout Chinese history, including the famous Ming Dynasty admiral Zheng He, who was a devout Muslim.

The Uyghurs and Turkic Muslims

The Uyghurs of Xinjiang (East Turkestan) represent a distinct Muslim tradition in China. A Turkic people who converted to Islam in the 10th century CE, the Uyghurs maintain their own language, script, and cultural traditions rooted in Central Asian Islamic civilization. The Karakhanid dynasty brought Islam to the region, and cities like Kashgar became important centers of Islamic learning. The relationship between the Uyghur Muslim community and the Chinese state has been marked by periods of autonomy and periods of severe repression, with the contemporary situation drawing international concern.

Contributions and Challenges

Chinese Muslims have made significant contributions to Chinese civilization in architecture, cuisine, scholarship, and military service. Islamic influence is visible in Chinese astronomy, medicine, and the culinary traditions of many regions. However, Chinese Muslims have also faced periods of persecution, including the Dungan Revolts of the 19th century and policies in the modern era. Despite these challenges, Chinese Muslims continue to maintain their faith and identity, demonstrating the universality of Islam across all cultures and nations.