Chinese Muslim Association

The Chinese Muslim Association (Chinese: 中國回教協會; Arabic: الجمعية الإسلامية الصينية; CMA) is an organization of Chinese Muslims in the Republic of China (Taiwan). A rival group, the Chinese Muslim Youth League competes with it in Taiwan.[3]

Chinese Muslim Association
中國回教協會
AbbreviationCMA
Formation1938 (in Mainland China)[1]
1958 (in Taiwan)
Founded atWuhan
TypeReligious organization
Legal statusOperating
HeadquartersTaipei Grand Mosque
Location
Key people
Salahuding Ma (Secretary-general)[2]
WebsiteOfficial website (in Chinese)
Chinese Muslim Association
Traditional Chinese中國回教協會
Simplified Chinese中国回教协会
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōngguó Huíjiào Xiéhuì
Southern Min
Hokkien POJTiong-kok Hôe-kàu Hia̍p-hōe
Tâi-lôTiong-kok Huê-kàu Hia̍p-huē

History

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In Mainland China

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The Chinese Muslim Association was originally established in 1938 in Wuhan as Chinese Muslim Salvation Association (中國回民救國協會) with the sponsorship from Kuomintang. The organization was renamed to Muslim Association (回教救國協會) in 1939 and was changed to Chinese Muslim Association (中國回教協會) in 1942.[4] After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to China in 1945, the CMA in Nanking appointed Chang Zichun (常子春), Wang Jingzhai and Zheng Houren (鄭厚仁) to form the preparatory committee of the CMA branch in Taiwan on 23 December 1947.[5][6]

In Taiwan

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In 1951 at the end of Chinese Civil War, the association evacuated Mainland China with the Nationalist Government to Taiwan and settled there ever since. It was formally reestablished in 1958.

Activities

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The Chinese Muslim Association is the largest Islamic organization in Taiwan. The mosque also holds inter-religious workshops and debates between Islam and Confucianism, Catholicism and Buddhism to promote mutual understanding with other religions.[7] It undertakes various activities across Taiwan such as volunteering, and Muslims view it in good standing. It also runs the Taipei Grand Mosque.[8][9] Each mosque and its dealings are run by their own board of directors. Scholarships and discourses are arranged by its Foundation of Islamic Culture and Education.[10]

CMA sponsors a weekly radio program beamed to Mainland China by the Broadcasting Corporation of China. They supply reading materials for Muslims in the ROC Armed Forces.

Besides providing services for Muslims and helping to improve the welfare of Taiwan society, the association through their Overseas Affairs Commission also actively engages in cultural exchanges with Muslims in 46 countries around the world, many of which the ROC Government does not have any formal diplomatic relation with them. They also receive and entertain many foreign Muslim visitors to Taiwan.[11]

CMA has been sending Taiwanese Muslim students overseas to receive formal Islamic education. To further improve the effort in preserving the Islamic faith among the Muslims, the association has developed a plan to "educating secular educators" and that the Bureau of Education of the Taipei City Government has approve the proposal to hold Islamic courses for primary and secondary school teachers during summer vacations. They also provide authentic Islamic information to public school teachers to eliminate the Islamic stereotyping and misunderstanding.[12]

List of CMA leaders

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Bai Chongxi

List of CMA President:[6][4]

  • 1938-1959: Bai Chongxi[13]
  • 1959-1967: Shi Zizhou (時子周)
  • 1967-1974: Chao Ming-yuan (acting)
  • 1974-1990: Xu Xiaochu (許曉初)
  • 1990-1996: Wu Huanhong (武宦宏)
  • 1996-2002: Ma Jiazhen (馬家珍)
  • 2002-2006: Ni Anguo (倪安國)
  • 2006-2008: Ma Ruhu (馬如虎)[4]
  • 2008-: Dawood Cho Yong-tsing

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Caltonhill, Mark. "Practicing Islam in Taiwan". AmCham Taipei. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  2. ^ CNA (26 March 2013). "16 more restaurants around nation get halal certification". The China Post. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  3. ^ Gowing, Peter G. (July–August 1970). "Islam in Taiwan". SAUDI ARAMCO World. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Chinese Muslim Association". Encyclopedia of Taiwan. Ministry of Culture. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Taipei Mosque". Encyclopedia of Taiwan. Ministry of Culture. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  6. ^ a b Chao, Ibrahim. Islam in Taiwan (1949-2010): Status of the Muslim Minority throughout the Last Six Decades (PDF). International Conference on Muslims in Multicultural Societies. Singapore. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 February 2014.
  7. ^ Bao, Ibrahim (14 April 2014). "Islam and Muslims in Taiwan: Taipei Grand Mosque holds inter-religious workshops and debates on Islam and Confucianism, Catholicism and Buddhism to promote mutual understanding". New Age Islam. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Islam, As introduced by the Taiwan Yearbook 2006". Taiwan.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 November 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Islam in Taiwan". islam.org.hk. 2 June 2003. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. ^ Bao, Ibrahim. "Islam and Muslims in Taiwan". Islam.org.hk. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  11. ^ Gowing, Peter G. (July–August 1970). "Islam in Taiwan". Saudi Aramco World. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Islam in Taiwan | muslim mosque at ground zero". Worldmoslem.wordpress.com. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  13. ^ Michael Dillon (1999). China's Muslim Hui community: migration, settlement and sects. Richmond: Curzon Press. p. 86. ISBN 0-7007-1026-4. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
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