Hui Muslims in China: Fasting, Alms-Giving, and then Spreading Out in Their Own Way

JAKARTA - Maybe, not many Indonesians know the Hui tribe. In fact, in China, they are one of the longest-living and thriving Muslim communities. They are spread across many regions, but are most commonly found in Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Hainan. Ningxia even became an autonomous region for the Hui ethnic group.

The history of the Hui people is also not a short story. Reported from various sources, they were born from a long mixing between the Han people and Arab and Persian traders who came to China since the Tang Dynasty. Some entered through the Silk Road and settled in Chang'an, some came by sea and lived in the coastal area of Fujian. From that meeting, the Hui community that is now known as one of the faces of Islam in China grew.

Physically, Hui people are almost no different from ethnic Han. What distinguishes them is their way of life. They embrace Islam, keep the rules of sharia, but in everyday life also absorb elements of Chinese culture. That is why, the religious tradition of the Hui people has a distinctive pattern: Islam remains the basis, but it grows in the Chinese cultural environment.

According to Yunnan Exploration, Idulfitri or the fasting-breaking festival is one of the most important holidays for the Hui ethnic group. This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims refrain from hunger, thirst, and lust from dawn to sunset. Like Muslims in Indonesia, Hui people live Ramadan as a time of worship, self-control, and strengthening relationships with others.

Eid morning begins with congregational prayer in a mosque or open field. After that, the atmosphere shifts to be more familiar. Zakat fitrah is distributed to those in need, so that everyone can enjoy the holiday. Then families begin to visit each other. The house is crowded. Greetings move from one door to another.

The dining table is also an important part of the celebration. Still according to Yunnan Exploration, the dishes that are commonly present in Hui houses during Lebaran include lamb, beef, various types of bread, as well as sweet foods and pastries. In many cities, the festive atmosphere also extends to common spaces, through cultural performances, folk markets, and community gatherings.

Here, the celebration of Idulfitri for Hui people feels interesting. It is not only a matter of worship, but also a way to maintain family relationships and strengthen identity. In the middle of a country where the majority of the population is not Muslim, Hui people still take care of their traditions calmly, from mosques, from homes, and from habits that continue to be repeated every year.

If you look at the way they celebrate Eid, it is clear that Islam in China is not something foreign or new that grew yesterday. It has historical roots, has a community, and has a distinctive form of life. On the holiday, all of this looks simple, but strong. People come to the mosque, zakat is distributed, families gather, and traditions are maintained.