Why are Hui Muslims in China concerned about religious education bans?

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Hui Muslims Fear Government Restrictions on Religious Education Mirroring Uighur Policies

Hui Muslims in China, particularly in Gansu province, are expressing concern over recent bans on young people receiving religious education in mosques, fearing these measures signal a broader crackdown akin to those imposed on Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. The restrictions, implemented by education officials in Guanghe county and reportedly also in Linxia city, prohibit children from attending religious classes during the Lunar New Year break, raising anxieties about the future of religious freedom and cultural transmission.
Restrictions Implemented in Gansu Province

In January, education officials in Guanghe county, a predominantly Muslim area in Gansu province, banned children from attending religious education during the extended Lunar New Year holiday period. Similar restrictions have been reported in Linxia city, the administrative centre of the Hui autonomous prefecture in Gansu. These measures appear to align with new national regulations that came into effect on February 1, aimed at increasing government oversight of religious activities.
Concerns Over Policies Resembling Xinjiang Crackdown

The Hui community, generally well-integrated into Chinese society, has watched the stringent measures in the Xinjiang region, including extensive surveillance and re-education centres, with detachment. However, the recent ban on religious education for children has sparked fears that similar policies might be introduced in their own communities. This is particularly worrying as Hui Muslims have historically maintained smoother relations with the government compared to the Uighurs.
Religious Leaders Denounce Bans and Cite Constitutional Violations

A Hui imam from Henan province, Li Haiyang, publicly denounced the policy, stating in a widely circulated online article that it violates China's constitution. He noted that while such bans have been conveyed verbally in previous years with inconsistent enforcement, the more forceful implementation this year indicates a serious commitment to enforcement by authorities. The Linxia prefecture government has defended the policy, citing the constitutional requirement for the separation of religion and education and asserting that religious affairs management aligns with the "Sinofication of religion" to resist extremist ideologies.

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Why are Hui Muslims in China concerned about religious education bans?

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