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In "China's little Mecca," the town of Linxia, Gansu, every domed mosque has had its dome(s) removed.
All of these satellite images are from Linxia.
This is part of a government program that has hit cities across China.
All of these satellite images are from Linxia.
This is part of a government program that has hit cities across China.
Many are replaced with gabled roofs that the government deems more "Chinese," in an official campaign to "Sinicize Islam," part of the current ethno-nationalist effort to assimilate minority cultures and religions.
I couldn't find a single mosque in Linxia with its dome intact. Those in the gif I posted are just some of the more important mosques. Even small mosques in the surrounding countryside were targeted.
Demolition and closure of mosques is also happening. The euphemism is that they are being "merged." https://xw.qq.com/cmsid/20200429A09N9100
These policies get a lot of online support from racist and anti-Muslim commenters in China, commonly called 穆黑 （Muslim disparagers). https://tieba.baidu.com/p/6374163338 (page won't archive)
The dome demolitions appear to have started in December of 2019 and continued through the spring, in the midst of the pandemic. Most removals completed by the end of May, with some "Chinese" style roofs completed by then too.
The domed mosques are called "Arab" style, but most are much closer to mosque architecture in India.
(photo credit: https://www.sohu.com/a/234431035_550946)
(photo credit: https://www.sohu.com/a/234431035_550946)
The truth is that the domed mosques are a form of Chinese architecture. And like virtually all Chinese architecture, they embrace influences and inspiration from near and far. Still, I doubt that the Great Hall of the People or Summer Palace will be Sinicized soon.
In June, http://bitterwinter.org reported that a government "insider" in Linxia said the prefecture was planned to lose at least 400 mosques. https://bitterwinter.org/mosque-sinicization-campaign-surged-amid-the-pandemic/
