Islamic education in early 20th century in China

Mai, Jianjun (2026) Islamic education in early 20th century in China. SERUMPUN : Journal of Education, Politic, and Social Humaniora, 4 (1). pp. 24-36. E-ISSN 2988-7232

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of Islamic education among China's Hui Muslims during the early twentieth century, a period marked by profound political and cultural change. For centuries, the mosque-based Jingtang Jiaoyu (Scripture Hall Education) served as the cornerstone of Hui religious learning, preserving Islamic identity within a predominantly Han Chinese society. However, by the Republican era, this traditional system's limitations—particularly its avoidance of Chinese literacy, narrow vocational focus, and isolation from global Islamic scholarship—had become increasingly apparent. The fall of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China created new opportunities for educational reform. Constitutional guarantees of ethnic equality, the influence of the New Culture Movement, and the Hui community's growing political consciousness created conditions for reimagining Islamic education. Hui scholars and reformers responded by establishing modern Islamic schools that integrated Chinese language instruction and social sciences into religious curricula while maintaining Islamic identity. These reforms produced a new generation of leaders capable of navigating religious, social, and political spheres simultaneously. Through historical analysis and a case study of Chengda Normal School, this research demonstrates how these reforms successfully balanced tradition with modernization.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hui Muslims, Islamic education, Jingtang Jiaoyu, educational reform, Republican China.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP190.5 Islamization of Knowledge BPL Islamic education H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (Effective: 5th Feb 2014)
Depositing User:	Dr Jianjun Mai
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2026 14:33
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2026 14:33
Queue Number:	2026-06-Q3775
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129493

Actions (login required)

View Item