Islamic Congress Establishes Hajj Office, Issues New Rules

May 30, 2006

The China Islamic Congress convened its eighth session from May 8 to May 12, according to a May 12 article in Xinhua. The Congress met to define the Islamic Association of China's (IAC) goals for the next five years, the article reported. The IAC is one of the "patriotic religious associations" that the government and Party use to control religion in China. The Congress announced several changes designed to align IAC rules to national government regulations and to further enhance IAC authority over Islamic practice:

The China Islamic Congress convened its eighth session from May 8 to May 12, according to a May 12 article in Xinhua. The Congress met to define the Islamic Association of China's (IAC) goals for the next five years, the article reported. The IAC is one of the "patriotic religious associations" that the government and Party use to control religion in China. The Congress announced several changes designed to align IAC rules to national government regulations and to further enhance IAC authority over Islamic practice:

  • The IAC will establish an office to manage pilgrimages to Mecca, according to a May 13 Xinhua report. This change was written into the Association's constitution. Article 11 of the Regulation on Religious Affairs (RRA) designates the IAC to do this work, and government officials have urged pilgrims to Mecca to make the trip under the auspices of the Association.
  • The Congress made several changes to its 1993 Trial Measures on the Democratic Management of Mosques.
    • To conform to the 1994 national Provisions on the Management of the Religious Activities of Foreigners within the PRC, the Congress amended its Measures to allow Chinese mosques, with the consent of the local branch of the IAC, to conduct weddings and funerals for foreign Muslims within China, according to a May 11 report from the China News Agency. Article 5 of the national Provisions on Foreigners permits foreigners in China to invite Chinese religious personnel to conduct religious ceremonies, including weddings and funerals.
    • Another amendment to the IAC's Measures permits the main religious personnel at a mosque to serve as members of the mosque's democratic management committee, according to a May 12 article from the China News Agency. Terms on the committee range from three to five years, and members generally may not serve more than two terms, the article reported.
    • The Congress also made amendments relating to mosque property, including a stipulation that mosques register their property with government land management offices and obtain certificates of title and right of use. The national RRA imposes a similar requirement in article 31.
  • The Congress passed two new measures, according to the May 12 China News Agency article.
    • Under the new Measures on Confirming the Qualifications of Islamic Religious Personnel, clergy who meet set requirements receive credentials as religious personnel after passing oral and written exams. Long-serving clergy over 60 years old do not need to take the exams. Among other requirements, personnel must be graduates of a state Koranic Institute or have received a standard mosque school education. In addition, personnel must be familiar with the IAC Islamic Affairs Steering Committee's "New Collected Sermons." These sermons reflect the Association's "correct and authoritative" view of religious doctrine in line with government and Party goals. For more information on the Islamic Affairs Steering Committee, see a 2001 China Daily article on the China Internet Information Center Web site and Religious Freedom for China's Muslims in section III(d), Freedom of Religion, in the CECC 2005 Annual Report.
    • Under the new Measures on Appointing Chief Religious Workers to Islamic Venues for Religious Activities, the democratic management committee is responsible for appointing clergy and must reach its decision through "democratic consultation" and by seeking the opinions of the people who attend the mosque. The measures allow appointed clergy, in accordance with national regulations, to receive voluntary charitable contributions.

On May 12, Jia Qinglin, Standing Committee member of the Central Committee Politburo, met with the new leaders of the IAC, according to a May 12 article in Xinhua. He acknowledged the Association's work in helping the Party and government implement religious policy and urged it to continue to promote social stability and national and ethnic unity. He also encouraged the IAC to carry out social welfare projects.