Muslim World League tours China's west

BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the Muslim World League (MWL) said here Friday that they had witnessed the real living situations of Chinese Muslims.

The delegation, led by Secretary-General of the MWL Abdullah bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki, visited Beijing, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province from Oct. 7 to 15.

Turki said the delegation was visiting China to enhance friendly ties with the Chinese government, the Islamic community and Chinese Muslims and seek cooperation with the Chinese Islamic Association.

"It is a great achievement for China to enable 56 ethnic groups of different culture and religions living together in harmony," said Mufti Ceric Mustafa from Bosnia-Herzegovina.

While in China, the delegation visited Mosques in Kashi City and Urumqi City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and prayed with local Muslims. They also visited some Islamic scripture schools.

Mufti Mustafa said, undoubtedly, China was a country with freedom of religion and assembly, and the country also attached great importance to protecting human rights.

He also appreciated the Chinese government's efforts in rebuilding and rehabilitating the traditional residents of Muslims and in protecting ancient Muslim dwellings in Kashi, especially the protection of the tomb of Mahamud Kashgali, the writer of the Diwanu Lughat-it Turk (A Comprehensive Turkic Dictionary).

He hoped the Chinese Muslims would achieve a unity of being both devout Muslim as well as being patriotic citizens.

During their stay in China, top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin and Director of China's State Administration for Religious Affairs Wang Zuoan met with the delegation.

They also met with leaders of five major religions in China and discussed with them the feasibility of dialogue and cooperation among different religious groups.

Turki said he witnessed the great importance China had attached to ensure the full religious freedom and social status of the Muslim minorities.

Turki said, in the future, the MWL hoped to join hands with the Chinese Islamic Association to promote multi-religious dialogue, hold Islam seminars, provide scholarship for the Chinese Muslim students and conduct vocational training for the Chinese Muslims.

The MWL delegation was here at the invitation of the Chinese Islamic Association. The delegation included scholars and officials from Sudan, Indonesia, Jordan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kuwait, Turkey and the Arab League.

The MWL, one of the largest Islamic non-governmental organizations, was founded in Mecca in 1962 by Muslim religious figures from 22 states.