THE PROCESS OF SETTLING MUSLIMS IN CHINA DURING THE MING DYNASTY

Abstract

The article presents information about sociopolitical, economic, and cultural conditions of China in the XIV-XVI centuries, the spread of Islam in China and its adaptation to the local environment, the participation of Muslim nations in the social, economic, cultural life, and educational process of the country. During this period, the status of Muslims as a “community migrating from Central Asia” changed to the name of an “ethnic minority” firmly established in China. In the reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Hui Muslim population in Shanghai and Gansu increased even more. The Ming emperors granted Muslims certain religious, political, economic, and social freedoms. Most Muslims served in the Ming army and held senior military and civilian positions. The reign of Ming Taizu, one of the Ming emperors, was a period of social change for the Muslim community from outsiders to insiders. We can describe this period as a period in which Muslims are relatively adapting to Chinese cultural norms or experiencing a process of sinicization. In this regard, Muslim communities that lived peaceful and prosperous life during the Ming Dynasty underwent cultural changes. During the Ming period, regional differences were observed in the integration of Muslims into society. For example, Muslims living in the northern and southwestern regions of China were fully adapted to local conditions. Muslims in the Northwest, on the other hand, had maintained ethnic and religious identity, worldviews, and lifestyles.