China is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, with an estimated 18 million Muslim adults in 2020. This accounts for 1.6% of China’s adult population, making it the fourth-largest Muslim population in the world. The two largest sub-groups of Muslims in China are the Hui and the Uyghurs, with 8.3 million and 7.7 million adults respectively.
The Hui are the largest ethnic Muslim group in China, with an estimated 8.3 million adults in 2020. They are a distinct ethnic group that is primarily descended from Chinese converts to Islam. The Hui are scattered throughout China, with the majority living in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in the northwest of the country. They speak a variety of Chinese dialects and are known for their distinctive Islamic architecture and cuisine.
The Uyghurs are the second-largest Muslim group in China, with an estimated 7.7 million adults in 2020. They are a Turkic ethnic group native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the northwest of the country. The Uyghurs are predominantly Sunni Muslims and speak a Turkic language called Uyghur. They are known for their unique culture, cuisine, and traditional clothing.
The remaining Muslim population in China is made up of a variety of smaller ethnic groups, including the Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tatars, and Salars. These groups are scattered throughout the country, with the majority living in the western provinces of Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai.
The Chinese government has long sought to control the Muslim population in the country, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. In recent years, the government has implemented a number of policies aimed at curbing the spread of Islam, including the restriction of religious practices, the closure of mosques, and the detention of Uyghur Muslims in internment camps.
Despite the government’s efforts, the Muslim population in China continues to grow. The exact number of Muslims in the country is difficult to determine, as the Chinese government does not release official figures on the subject. However, by extrapolating from available data, it is estimated that there were roughly 18 million Muslim adults in China in 2020.
In conclusion, China is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, with an estimated 18 million Muslim adults in 2020. The two largest sub-groups of Muslims in China are the Hui and the Uyghurs, with 8.3 million and 7.7 million adults respectively. The Chinese government has long sought to control the Muslim population in the country, but the exact number of Muslims in the country is difficult to determine.
