Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: January 13,2023
By Staff writer
A delegation consisting of more than 30 Islamic figures and scholars from 14 countries, begin their Xinjiang visit on 8 January. Photos: Fan Lingzhi/Global Times
World renowned Islam experts and Scholars visited China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on January 8 and praised measures taken by the Chinese government to combat terrorism. The Islamic scholars visit was aimed at getting “a clear understanding of the situation in the region. Western media has for long claimed that the Chinese government is killing Uygur Muslims in what they describe as genocide. Contrary to western propaganda, the scholars from Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and a number of Gulf nations said China has ‘contributed to the stability of the region.
According to media reports, the delegation, led by Ali Rashid al-Nuaimi, chairman of The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC), comprises more than 30 personalities. According to a statement on the visit issued on January 9, the group “hailed the achievements of the Chinese government in battling terrorism in Xinjiang.”
The scholars also pointed out that some anti-Chinese groups have criticized China on issues regarding the Xinjiang and Xizang regions and the island of Taiwan, which are connected to China’s national security.
According to Al-Nuaimi, there is no such thing as a “Chinese culture that targets Muslims or the Islamic civilization.”
The delegation was welcomed by Ma Xingrui, Party chief of the Xinjiang region. He acknowledged their support for China’s stance on Xinjiang-related issues, noting that the US and some Western nations continue to spread rumors and try to sow discord between China and Islamic countries.
The delegation also visited the “Museum of Combatting Terrorism and Extremism” while in Xinjiang, the TWMCC reported on 10 January.
The exhibition showcased the history of Xinjiang and showed how the “three forces of separatism, extremism, and terrorism plagued the region from 1990 to 2016,” resulting in thousands of terror attacks.
Osama Elsayed Mahmoud Mohamed Saad, the Egyptian president’s advisor for religious affairs, said that the exhibition exposed the crimes of terrorists and showed the efforts made by the Chinese government and Chinese people to counter terrorism.
The Islamic scholars also toured field operations of the China-Europe freight train at Alataw Pass and Khorgosgateway, both major rail ports in Xinjiang. They applauded Xinjiang’s economic achievements through Opening-Up and BRI. The delegates praised Xinjiang good infrastructure, affluent human resources and other favorable economic conditions, which promote economic growth between China and other countries alongside the Belt and Road Trade route.
