The Kyrgyz, a proud people whose name means "indestructible", were once referred to as "uncivilized barbarians" by the Chinese. Most Kyrgyz in China are nomadic pastoralists and live in felt tents called ‘yurts’. More recently numbers of Kyrgyz have moved into the cities. Approx. 1,500 live in the cities of Urumchi, Artush and Kashgar.
The Hui people trace their ancestors back to Muslim traders, soldiers, and officials who came to China during the seventh through fourteenth centuries. There is a wide range of devotion to Islam among the Hui. In north-eastern China, they are more liberal. There, they smoke, drink, and eat pork when away from home. Overall, the Hui are said to be among the least radical Muslims in the world.
Chinese Muslims also moved to HK and gradually formed their own community. The first mosque in HK was built in 1890. Today, there are five mosques in HK. Christians are spreading God's love throughout the city. 90,000 native Muslims live here.
The Uyghurs are a Turkic people group dwelling in ancient oasis cities ringing the Taklamakan Desert of what is now Xinjiang, China. Kashgar is known for being a hotbed for conservative Islam and Uyghur nationalist and separatist sentiment. Kashgar is a strategic city.
Dongxiang means “eastern villages” hinting that the Dongxiang came from further west of China. There are possibly 200 Christians among the Dongxiang. The Dongxiang's "three treasures", apricots, melons and other fruits, enjoy good reputation throughout China.
Three different types of Uyghurs can be identified: The first group comprises intellectuals, public servants and political leaders. They are indoctrinated by atheistic teachings, yet many of them follow Islamic cultural traditions. ...
Situated in a barren desert-like region in Northwest China, Linxia was once an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Despite being on a major highway, the region's economy has a slower rate of growth than other parts of China.
