Islam In China Through The Centuries: A Review Of A History Of Islam In China

Abstract

This review looks at A History of Islam in China by Li Xinghua, Qin Huibin, Feng Jinyuan, and Sha Qiuzhen. The book is 854 pages long and provides a detailed account of how Islam grew in China from the Tang Dynasty to the years after 1949. In developing their argument, the authors use two main ideas: localization (bentuhua) and ethnic formation (minzuhua). Through these concepts, they explain how Islam changed to fit Chinese society while at the same time keeping its main beliefs and traditions. Furthermore, the review gives an outline of the book’s five parts and shows that the authors use many historical records along with a clear method based on Chinese historiography. In addition, it praises the book for its careful research and strong structure, yet it also notes that it gives little attention to local Muslim life and regional differences. Overall, the review concludes that A History of Islam in China is an important work on the history of Islam in China. Ultimately, it provides a clear and steady story of how Islam adapted to Chinese life and demonstrates that change and continuity mattered more than conflict or separation.

Keywords:      Islam in China; localization; ethnic formation; cultural adaptation; historiography