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A Mosque Under Siege in China: The Battle for Religious Freedom
Global Recap
May 29, 2023 • Read in: 5 minutes
The Eye of Sauron
Saurona Triangula
Hello again, Global Recap readers! You will love this if you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings.
A new genus of orange and brown butterflies has been named after the Dark Lord Sauron from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It is called Saurona.
The Eye of Sauron is depicted in the film adaptation of the series as being like a cat’s eye, with white-orange flames around both the iris and the flaming exterior.
Can you see the resemblance?
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A Mosque Under Siege in China: The Battle for Religious Freedom
What Happened: Over the weekend, residents of a predominantly Muslim town in southwestern China clashed with police, as they attempted to prevent the demolition of a centuries-old mosque's domed roof. This incident reflects the broader campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress religious practices.
The Mosque: The Najiaying mosque holds significant importance as a hub for worship and religious instruction among the Hui Muslims residing in Yunnan province. Its construction dates back to the 13th century, and over time, it has undergone several expansions, encompassing additional buildings. In 2019, a portion of this remarkable structure was officially designated as a protected cultural relic.
Court Ruling: The incident seems to be connected to a court ruling in 2020, which deemed certain recent renovations of the mosque illegal and mandated their demolition.
CCP Restrictions: Over the past few years, there has been a significant escalation in Communist Party-imposed restrictions on religious practices. Xi Jinping has ordered faith communities to demonstrate unwavering political loyalty and adhere to the process of "sinicization" of religion. Additionally, surveillance measures targeting religious leaders have been noticeably intensified.
Nationwide Crackdown: The CCP has specifically targeted Islam and Christianity, driven by the Communist Party's fear of religious faiths possibly being a conduit for foreign influence. In addition to imposing limitations on international exchanges and donations, authorities have also forced the remodeling of religious structures that were deemed to lack a “Chinese aesthetic.”