-
Jan 1, 650
Muslims Arrive In China - Tang Dynasty
The Caliph sends a deputation lead by Saad ibn Abi Waaqas to China, where he then invited the Chinese emperor to embrace Islam. It is considered the birth of Islam in China. -
Jan 1, 700
Impact of Trading - Tang Dynasty
Many Muslims travelled to China on two silk roads that connected China and the Middle East. These roads allowed Arabian and Persian merchants and businessmen to trade goods with China. As a result, Islam was further introduced to society and began to grow. -
Jan 1, 750
The Great Mosque of Xi'ian
At this time, Muslim traders proclaimed the religion to Emperor Yong Hui, who then had a mosque built to honor the religion and the country that sent them. It was the first official mosque in China. -
Apr 3, 1000
Muslim Influence During Song Dynasty
The trading of imports and exports had been strongly influenced by the Muslim presence during the Song Dynasty. More and more Muslims visited China to do business, which led to a growth in the country's economy. It also provided good conditions for Islam to spread throughout the country. -
Mar 8, 1300
Yuan Dynasty
Muslims were brought to the Mongol Yuan Empire by Mongols who began to expand into China. They were used to govern and administrate China. These were high-ranking roles that required Muslim immigrants to grow and administer the Empire. By the end of the Yuan Empire, Muslims were the largest group non-Chinese people living in the country. -
Apr 8, 1370
The Golden Age of Islam In China - Ming Dynasty
During the Ming Dynasty, Muslims flourished in China. The formation of the Hui people was created when people of Mongolian, Han and Uguyr nationalities began practicing Islam. Chinese customs began to be evident in Muslims' lives. Nanjing became the center of Islamic learning. -
Muslim Downfall in Qing Dynasty
Muslims continued to decline from the end if the Ming Dynasty all the way through the Qing Dynasty. Numerous rebellions, such as the Panthay Rebellion, led to mass termination and total annihilation of Muslim communities in China. Acts of genocide wiped out communities such as Kansu, Tsinghi and Yunnan. -
Islam in China
Muslims make up about 2 percent of China's population today and is continuing to grow. There are ten distinct ethnic groups Muslims make up, with the largest being Chinese Hui, which accounts for over half of China's Muslim population. Muslims have also been given allowance to make the Hajj to Mecca, which was once severely restricted.