The Problems of Sinicizing Beijing’s Mosques

Abstract

The “Sinicization of religion” that is being implemented in China since 2016 has not only adversely affected the practice of Islam by Hui Muslims but it has also impacted upon the architecture and decoration of mosques where Hui communities live. This article argues that the politics of Sinicizing religious spaces is inherently problematic; it involves issues of what exactly constitutes “Sinicization”, and assumptions behind the choices that Muslims make regarding mosque architecture and decoration. To illustrate the intricacies of the matter, this article compares two large mosques in Beijing. The Niujie mosque is an example of an old and traditional “Chinese” Muslim place of worship, and as such, may be classified as “Sinicized”, and approved of by the Chinese state. In contrast, the large, modern Doudian mosque, with its “Arab” style tall minarets and bulbous domes might be considered alien to Chinese tastes, however, such suppositions gloss over its hybrid architectural and decorative features and the multiple reasons for choices made in its design.