The Spread of Islam in Dynasty China

Islam was first introduced in China

651

According to the Tang Dynasty records, Sa`ad Ibn Abi Waqqas (an uncle of the Prophet Mohammad) visited on diplomatic reasons.

Hauisheng Mosque in Guangzhou is built

651

This Mosque was built by Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqas. It was built in the trading center therefore, many Arabic merchants stayed their on while visiting.

The Great Mosque of Xi`An

742

The first mosque built was actually called the Memorial Mosque but it has been torn down. The Great Mosque of Xi`An was built in the Tang Dynasty's capital. The Tang Dynasty respected Islamic teachings because it is compatible with the teachings of Confucius.

Battle of Talas

751

This was a battle between the Abbasids and the Tang Dynasty. This battle was won by the Abbasid caliphate with their ally Turgesh Kaganate. This was the start of the spread of Islam in Central Asia, as well as Arab influence on the Silk Road in that region. After the battle Muslims were allowed to stay however, they kept to themselves becoming the Muslim minority in the North and West.

South China

752

In the South of China, Islam was spread by the sea route from the Persian Gulf and across the Indian ocean to reach up to the Chinese Harbors. Here people could live and build their own Islamic Mosques. The Muslims kept to themselves and did not intermingle with the Chinese. Dynasty Elites did not see them as a threat which was why they were allowed to stay and practice Islamic faith.

Islam in the Song Dynasty

960

Muslims in China dominated foreign trade and the import/export industry to the south and west. Also, the office of Director General of Shipping for China's great seaport of Quanzhou was consistently held by a Muslim during this period.

Using Muslims as a Peaceful Force

1070

Song emperor, Shenzong invited 5,300 Arab men from Bukhara, to settle in China. Later on these men were settled between the Sung capital of Kaifeng and Yenching. The object was to create a buffer zone between the Chinese and the Liao. This later influenced many more Arab families to travel and relocate to China.

Yuan Dynasty; Mongol Rule

1206

The Islamic Tribes and People of China were included in the Mongol Khanate of Cathay. Due to their strong support in creating the new Mongol Empire, Islam and Muslims gained a highly respected status. The Islamic Religion was integrated with the other cultures in the Class System of this vast world Empire and the Hui Hui. Muslims were socially accepted as the 2nd class of citizens, after the Mongol Ethnicity. This caused many Muslims to travel and live here creating a large Muslim population.

Jinan Great Southern Mosque was built

1295

Jinan Great Southern Mosque was built under the rule of Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

1368

During the Ming Dynasty Islam in China saw a large tolerance for Minorities and the Islamic Faith by Han Officials and Empire. In the Ming Period China's Muslims fully integrated into Han society by adopting their Chinese Names and main Han customs and Cultural Aspects while keeping their Islamic mode of dress and dietary restrictions.

First Documentation of Chinese Muslims preforming the Hajj

1431

Zheng He, mariner and diplomat, traveled to Mecca when passing Saudi Arabia on his seventh voyage.

Qing Dynasty Intolerance of Muslims

1644

Unlike the other dynasties, The Qing dynasty did not accept or protect Muslims. The local Tribes were thrown back into their own cultural identities, occupying the territories into Mongolian and Muslim Tribal Area's.