Headed by Dr. Ali Rashid Al-Nuaimi, chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council, more than 30 Islamic leaders and scholars from 14 countries visited Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this week. Xinjiang's efforts in countering violent extremism and preserving religious culture were high on the delegation's agenda. Our reporter Zhou Jiaxin has the details.

The Xinjiang Region is a key battlefield in the fight against terrorism and extremism in China. Several thousand acts of terrorism, including bombings, assassinations and riots, documented in the past two decades were displayed at an exhibit to the visiting delegation of top Islamic figures and scholars.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, the head of the delegation, said extremist forces have used religion to meet their political agenda while spreading extremism and hatred.

DR. ALI RASHID AL NUAIM Chairman, The World Muslim Communities Council Intl. Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism "The attacks are on the civilians in the streets, religious leaders. They're killing Muslim, because they don't follow their ideology. They don't respect any constitution, they don't respect the law, they want to create their own."

To curb terrorist incidents and eradicate the breeding ground for religious extremism, Xinjiang established a group of vocational centers to offer systematic education and training.

The rehabilitation program also helped trainees find employment, increase their incomes, and most of all, to safeguard social stability and long-term peace in the region.

DR. ABDULLAH AL OBAID Former Saudi Minister of Education "The government has made a huge and consistent effort in eradicating violence, extremism and terrorism, but there are still extreme ideas inciting terror and violence."

Xinjiang's top official says the West has attempted to play the Uygur Autonomous Region against the Islamic world by distorting its anti-terrorism efforts and accusing China of violating ethnic minorities' human rights.

MA XINGRUI Party Chief, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region "Facts are to squash the rumors. By this visit, the delegation will grow knowledge about the real Xinjiang, thus those hostile attacks and stigmatization against Xinjiang would collapse of themselves."

The Party chief also said religious activities were legally preserved, facilities were improved, and Islamic talents were prepared to promote the religion and harmony among nationalities. 

DR. OSAMA SAYYID AL AZHARI Egyptian President's Advisor on Religious Affairs "I believe this demonstrates China has attached great significance to preserving the ethnic culture. You will find racial distinctions elsewhere without so many nationalities."

Inside the mosques, members of the delegation prayed with students of the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, and residents of Kashgar city. 

DR. MUSTAFA CERIC Former Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina "What we've heard outside China surely has bias. I'd say Muslim communities in China include more than Uygurs, there're about ten Muslim groups such as Hui and Mongolia."

DR. ALI RASHID AL NUAIMI Chairman, The World Muslim Communities Council Intl. Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism "Here we look at all Muslims as Chinese, they should be proud of Chinese nationals. And everywhere we go, we promote this. Because you have to understand different identities complement each other. They don't contradict."

ZHOU JIAXIN  Kashgar, Xinjiang "Xinjiang will continue to welcome foreign guests to see its history, beauty and diversity, but also its conviction to fight against terrorism and religious extremism together with the rest of the world. Zhou Jiaxin, CGTN, Kashgar in Xinjiang Autonomous Region."