China passes law to make Islam more Chinese in nature, adds a touch of socialism too The move is aimed at making Islam to be compatible with socialism and implement measures to Sinicise the religion. This is China's important act to explore ways of governing religion in modern countries.

Under President Xi Jinping, China has heavily cracked down on religion, especially Islam practised by most Uighurs in the country's Xinjiang province who Beijing suspects of having separatist and extremist tendencies. (Photo: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The law outlines a five-year plan to make Islam more Chinese
• There are over 20 million Muslims in China Law may extend to 4 other recognised religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Protestantism

China has passed a law that seeks to "Sinicise" Islam within five years and might do that with other four religions in the country, according to the state media.

Under the all-powerful Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has heavily cracked down on religion, especially Islam practised by most Uighurs in the country's Xinjiang province who Beijing suspects of having separatist and extremist tendencies.

"China passed a five-year plan to Sinicise Islam at a meeting on Saturday with representatives from China's eight Islamic associations," said a report in the Global Times.

"During the meeting, participants agreed to guide Islam to be compatible with socialism and implement measures to Sinicise the religion. This is China's important act to explore ways of governing religion in modern countries," the report said.There are over 20 million Muslims in the country. Islam is one of the five officially recognised religions in atheist China. The other four are Taoism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.

The top officials in the Chinese government have often likened the religion to "mental disease" that "needs to be cured".China has come under heavy international criticism for reportedly detaining over 1 million Muslim Uighurs in indoctrination camps in Xinjiang.