Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association

Overview

The Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association is an institution under the Yunnan Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee. It serves as the representative body for the Islamic community in the province, overseeing religious, cultural, and social activities related to Islam in Yunnan.
The association is part of the state-run Chinese Islamic Association and follows the orthodox Sunni “Old Religion” (传统伊斯兰教). It comprises mosques and other institutions that connect Yunnan’s Muslims with broader Islamic communities and structural organizations across China.

Yunnan, located in southwest China, has a significant Muslim population, primarily Hui Muslims.

  • Population: Yunnan is home to about 500,000 Hui Muslims (回族), distributed across 630 communities in 120 counties and 9 municipalities.
  • Mosques: There are over 700 mosques and religious centers throughout Yunnan.
  • Integration: The Hui Muslims are often referred to as “Chinese Muslims” by local media and are well-integrated into Chinese society.
    However, some reports indicate that the Chinese government has sought to increase its control over religious activities and institutions. For example, in 2018, three mosques in Yunnan were closed for “illegal religious education.” Some Hui activists claim that the government is removing domes and minarets from mosques and that many Muslims feel reluctant to attend prayers due to government-imposed restrictions.

Responsibilities and Functions

The Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association operates under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the “Three Represents” (三个代表), an important ideology, and practices the scientific outlook on development. It adheres to a sustainable development path and upholds the flags of patriotism and socialism. The association supports the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system. It also assists the people’s government in fully implementing the policy of religious freedom.

The main responsibilities of the Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association include:

  • Promoting Islam’s Core Values: Promoting the fundamental spirit of Islam and its fine traditions.
  • Religious Affairs Management: Independently managing religious affairs and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Muslim individuals and communities.
  • Bridge Between Government and Muslims: Acting as a bridge between the Communist Party, the government, and Muslims, contributing to national unity and social stability.
  • Encouraging Social Participation: Encouraging Muslims to actively participate in the construction of socialist material, political, and spiritual civilizations.
  • Guiding Adaptation: Helping Islam to adapt to socialist society and promote social harmony.

The association aims to create a harmonious society, foster ethnic unity, and contribute to the goal of building a well-off society in all respects. It emphasizes adherence to social moral norms, promotes the unity of the motherland, and upholds world peace.

Vision

The association endeavors to keep pace with the times and innovate, ensuring that Islam’s development is compatible with the framework of modern socialist society. This contributes to the broader goal of achieving a harmonious society, national unity, and religious harmony.

Current Leadership

The current leadership of the Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association includes:

  • President (Legal Representative): Ma Kaixian (马开贤)
  • Vice Presidents and Secretary-General:
    • Dai Junfeng (代俊峰) — Vice President and Secretary-General
    • Ma Zhong (马忠) — Vice President
  • Honorary President: Ma Kaixian (马开贤)
  • Other Vice Presidents:
    • Yang Zexiong (杨泽雄)
    • Ma Ligu (马利古)
    • Zhang Desheng (张德胜)
    • Ma Liming (马黎明)
    • Ma Zhongsheng (马仲省)
    • Ma Erji (马尔继)
    • Ma Jinkun (马锦坤)
    • Hu Congwei (胡从伟)
    • Ma Runzhang (马润章)
    • Bao Yanhong (保晏洪)
    • Na Yong (纳永)
    • Wang Bozao (王伯早)

Contact Information

For further inquiries or to reach the Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association, you can contact them at:

  • Phone: +86 871-64641073

Key Functions

The Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association carries out a variety of functions aimed at improving the religious, cultural, and social life of the Muslim community in Yunnan, as well as fostering cooperation with the government:

Promoting Islam’s Core Values

The association actively promotes the core values of Islam and its traditional practices, helping Muslims maintain a strong cultural identity while participating in modern Chinese society.

Religious Affairs Management

The association manages religious affairs independently, ensuring that the rights and interests of Muslims are well-represented and upheld within the framework of Chinese law and socialist policies.

Bridge Between Government and Muslims

The association acts as a vital bridge between the Communist Party, the government, and the Muslim community. It plays a crucial role in strengthening ethnic unity and maintaining social stability in the region.

Encouraging Social Participation

The association encourages Muslims to actively participate in the construction of socialist material, political, and spiritual civilizations. It helps integrate Islamic values into broader Chinese society.

Social Harmony and Religious Tolerance

Through its work, the association strives to ensure that Islam remains in harmony with the goals of building a well-off society. It contributes positively to national development, peace, and unity.

By upholding these principles, the Yunnan Provincial Islamic Association aims to promote the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups, creating a model for religious and cultural harmony in China.

This translation retains the comprehensive details of the original Chinese content while ensuring clarity and readability in English. It outlines the association’s key functions, leadership structure, and its significance in promoting harmony and unity within Chinese society.