Over 30 world-renowned Islam experts and scholars from 14 countries visited Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on January 8, at the invitation of the local government.
The visiting team, composed of members coming from the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia, Serbia, South Sudan, Mauritania, Indonesia, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman, was led by Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of The World Muslim Communities Council.
After their arrival on Sunday, they visited multiple sites covering the region's historical, cultural and religious work, where they spoke highly of China's anti-terrorism efforts, preservation of intangible cultural heritage Twelve Muqam, and solid outcomes under the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).
Islam experts and scholars at an exhibition in the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center, Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, January 8, 2023. /Xinjiang Daily
At the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center, they saw an exhibition on counter-terrorism and deradicalization in Xinjiang and learned about the current situation in the region. Many expressed their support for the efforts and achievements made by Xinjiang to fight against terrorism.
After seeing all ethnic groups live in peace, the Egyptian Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs Osama Sayyid Al-Azhari acknowledged that China's anti-terrorism policy is very successful, and the experience in Xinjiang is of great significance for all countries to effectively fight against terrorism.
Mustafa Ceric, former Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina also praised China's anti-terrorism and deradicalization policies for bringing about peace and harmony in the region.
Islam experts and scholars watch the Twelve Muqam performances, Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, January 8, 2023. /Department of West Asia and North Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
While watching the Twelve Muqam performance and seeing the ancient Silk Road exhibition panel at a local museum, delegates were impressed by Xinjiang's unique ethnic culture.
Ceric, standing in front of the panel with the ancient Silk Road on it, said that China is a big country with global influence and has been contributing to the world's economic recovery in recent years. He hopes China will continue to spread development dividends to the world in the future.
Greatly amazed by the Twelve Muqam performance, a writer and scholar from Mauritania said that all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have created splendid culture together, and they saw how China is committed to protecting and promoting multi-ethnic culture in Xinjiang, which is fully in line with the United Nations Educational Scientific And Cultural Organization(UNESCO)'s purpose of protecting and promoting diversification of civilizations.
Al Nuaimi stressed that the Chinese government funded the Xinjiang Muqam Art Troupe, which is the most potent response to the Western accusation that China is exterminating Uygur culture.
The Xinjiang Uygur Muqam includes songs, dances, folk and classical music and is characterized by the diversity of content, choreography, musical styles and instruments used. The Twelve Muqam is one of the main regional styles. Xinjiang Uygur Muqam was inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.
Islam experts and scholars prayed together with local Muslims at a local mosque, Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, January 8, 2023. /Department of West Asia and North Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The team of Islam experts and scholars also prayed together with local Muslims at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, where the experts and scholars praised the local government's efforts in ensuring people's freedom of religion and belief.
Serbian Mufti Mevlud Dudic said that he usually knows China from TV and newspapers, but he believes in the Prophet Muhammad's saying: "We must seek knowledge, even if it is far away in China", adding he, in this visit, was happy to see that Muslims in Xinjiang are living in peace and happiness.
They also inspected field operations of the China-Europe freight train at Alataw Pass and Khorgos gateway, both major rail ports in Xinjiang, through real-time footage. They applauded Xinjiang's economic achievements through Opening-Up and BRI.
A member of the Federal National Council of the UAE said that Xinjiang has good infrastructure, affluent human resources and other favorable economic conditions, which can help countries alongside the Belt and Road trade with China more smoothly, conveniently and faster.