Bonding through faith

As one of the youngest imams (Muslim priest or leader) in Beijing, Ding Wenjian - who speaks fluent Arabic - fully understands and supports the desire of Chinese youth to combine religion and professional development.

Originally from the Dachang Hui Autonomous County in Hebei Province, Ding graduated from China Islamic Institute in Beijing in 2004 before joining Beijing’s Niujie Mosque - one of the oldest mosques in China. Today, he sings the daily calls to prayer and devotes a significant portion of his time to educate Hui youth on the basic teachings of Islam, emphasizing the positive role faith can play for their individual growth, as well as for China’s development.

“By learning about their faith, Chinese Muslim youth can significantly support the development of their country and become an essential part of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is easier for them to relate to other Muslims and Arab people, as they speak a common language and share the same religion,” the 40-year-old imam told Chinafrica just after Friday prayers. “This is especially useful in making connections, because it builds trust between people, and thus facilitates trade.”

Ding insists on the fact that religion can unlock untapped potential for trade and cultural exchanges, bringing significant benefits which extend beyond the Chinese Islamic community. “A majority of these young Hui people are not serving their religion directly, but they all end up making huge contributions to the development of society,” he said.

According to him, by becoming effective mediators between China and the Islamic world, young Hui people are promoting a positive and constructive image of their religion within Chinese society, which tends to increase tolerance and social harmony. Ultimately, Ding said, “this benefits society as a whole.” Comments to francoisdube@chinafrica.cn