THE ACTIVITY OF CHINESE MUSLIMS IN THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COUNTRY IN THE IX-XVI CENTURIES

Abstract

The article presents information about the socio-political, economic, and cultural conditions in China in the 9th-16th centuries, the spread of Islam in China and its adaptation to the local culture, the participation of Muslim peoples in the social, economic, cultural life and educational process of the country. Also, it analyzes the formation of Muslim communities among the majority of followers of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism by adapting to their religious beliefs, close to the content of Islam, and the emergence of 10 separate legal systems, such as “Zu Tang” (“Foreigner living in China” ), “Fang Ke” (“Descendants of local Muslims”), “Fang Hue” (“Schools for foreigners”), “Qadi Department” (for the resolution of Muslim religious affairs), “Triple Administration” (consisting of an imam, a khatib and a muezzin dealing with the daily affairs of Muslims), which regulated the social and religious life of Muslims in China. It was found that during the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, fundamental changes occurred that contributed to the spread and development of Islam throughout China. Thanks to an active policy of national assimilation, the political status of Muslims changed, and they became the indigenous citizens of China. It was concluded that the participation of Muslims in the policy of national assimilation became the basis for the formation of new national communities based on common values, ethics, and rituals, as well as for the wider dissemination of Islamic teachings and philosophy in other parts of China.