China issues regulation for its Muslims performing Haj pilgrimage

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) China has asked its Muslim pilgrims going to perform Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to abide by China’s and the destination country’ laws and regulations and oppose religious extremism.

A regulation issued by the Chinese government on Monday stipulates that Chinese Muslims’ pilgrimage should be organised in accordance with laws and the Chinese Islamic Association is the only organisation that is authorized to arrange for Chinese Muslims to go to Mecca to perform Hajj.

No other organization or individual should organize the trips and Chinese citizens should meet basic requirements when applying for the Hajj, the regulation stipulates. according to the Global Times.

The regulation has a total of 42 articles on organizing Haj-related affairs including the one that people who go to perform hajj should abide by China’s and the destination country’ laws and regulations and oppose religious extremism.

Related government departments have been instructed to fulfill their responsibilities and ban illegal Hajj activities, the Global Times said.

Starting from December 1, the regulation was jointly released by eight ministries and departments including the Chinese Foreign Ministry, National Religious Affairs Administration, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, National Health Commission, Central Administration of Customs, State Administration for Market Regulation and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Muslim population in China was estimated at 20.32 million in 2012. It accounts for about 1.64 oercent of China’s population and 20 percent of Chinese ethnic population. Among all the muslim people in China, Hui and Uygur ethnic people are the main groups. Nearly 10,000 perform Hajj every year.

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