Around April 15, National Security Education Day, mosques were converted into indoctrination centers where the new “Law on Guarding State Secrets” was promoted.
by Ma Wenyan
April 15 in China is National Security Education Day. “Bitter Winter” received several reports on how “national security education” became mandatory around that date in Hui Muslim mosques, under the guidance of the government-controlled China Islamic Association.
Preachers were told that they should focus their sermons on explaining to Muslim devotees the new Law on Guarding State Secrets, which comes into force on May 1 and includes a greatly expanded, if vague, definition of what a “state secret” is.
In Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, it was reported that in several mosques the Friday sermons were given by United Front legal bureaucrats. All mosques were involved in the campaign promoting the new law and inciting Muslims to protect “state secrets” and report on “spies.”
Banners proclaimed: “Everyone is responsible for everything: promote national security awareness, resolutely resist any behavior that endangers national security, contribute to safeguarding national security by promoting national unity and social harmony and stability.”
In Wuhan, Hubei province, ad hoc committees were formed in the mosques to prepare the National Security Education Day, promote the study of the “Law on Guarding State Secrets” and other security-related laws, and teach believers how to be vigilant and report about “spies.”
The campaign in Wuhan had the slogan “Patriotism is part of the faith.” It insisted that cooperating with security agencies and report on those who put national security in danger by keeping contacts with foreign agencies or media or criticizing the Communist Party is a quintessentially Islamic and religious attitude, as Islam has always preached the respect of public authorities.
Source: BITTER WINTER
