A delegation consisting of more than 30 Islamic figures and scholars from 14 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, visits a museum during their trip to China's Xinjiang region on January 8. Photo: Fan Lingzhi/GT

Editor's Note:

Led by Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi (Al Nuaimi), chairman of The World Muslim Communities Council from the UAE, a delegation including more than 30 Islamic figures and scholars from 14 countries visited Northwest China's Xinjiang region starting on January 8. They went to mosques, the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, bazaars and many other places to communicate with local residents and religious groups in Urumqi, Altay and Kashi and to get a better understanding of the region's development and protection of religious freedom.

On the last day of their visit in Kashi, Al Nuaimi was interviewed by Global Times reporters Liu Xin and Fan Lingzhi (GT). He shared his views on the current situation in Xinjiang and the smearing campaign led by a small group of countries to attack China on Xinjiang-related issues.

Id Kah Mosque in Kashi Photo: VCG

GT: We've noticed that this is not your first visit to Xinjiang. Are there any specific reasons for you to make this trip?

Al Nuaimi: When I visited this region in 2019, I was with a small delegation from the UAE only. I thought it's very important for the Muslim world to understand what is happening in the Xinjiang region, as seeing is believing. This is why I invited many colleagues from different countries to come and join the visit. I can see the difference and the development that's happening here.

Yesterday we visited the old town in Kashi. We saw the market, we saw the people on the street, we engaged with them. We saw how people are enjoying a lifestyle, enjoying the development and you can see their happiness and their smiles.

Things are improving. It is very important for the Muslim world and the world to understand that the people here are Chinese and they are part of China. And the government is taking good care of them. You wish that the citizens in Europe and other countries would have the same care and the same services.

We live in a small world. Because of globalization, because of the internet, because of the challenges that we face as humanity, the world has become like a small village. We should take care of each other. And we should work together. And everyone should understand that the world needs a secure, stable and developing China, because of the role that China has played in the world and the influence of what the Chinese are doing on the world economy, especially in underdeveloped countries. It is crucial for all of us to understand this.

And this is why it's very important to get the right message to the world. Engaging with people will create bridges of trust, of respect, and also later on of cooperation - this is in the best interests of the world. 

We need to put our political differences aside and work together. Because in the end, we have to live together. We face so many challenges that we have to come together to face these challenges. We should work together to make sure that the world enjoys security, stability and peace. We cannot do it unless we come together. 

It's very important for the elites in every nation, those wise people to come forward and speak up. We need to work as a family, as human beings, for the best interests of us all.

GT: Which word or phrase would you use to describe your trip or your impression of the Xinjiang region? How will you describe your trip after returning to your country?

Al Nuaimi: I will describe the region with the words "developing" and "harmony." There is harmony between the people in terms of different ethnic groups and also the coexistence of different values. You can see that in the streets. This is the most impressive part for me.

GT: The delegation visited mosques, Islamic institutes and many other places in the region during the trip. What's your comment on the local government's efforts in protecting residents' freedom of religion?

Al Nuaimi: First of all, many members of the delegation were not aware that the Chinese Constitution calls for freedom of religion. Now they know it. 

They started to understand the importance of the integration of Muslims in China within the whole system, within the nation. This is in the best interests of Muslims, to be integrated with the community, to interact with them, to share the responsibility as a citizen about the nation and play their role in the development of China.

You need to respect your religion, practice your religion. But at the same time, you have to respect the country's Constitution, you have to respect the laws and play your role. Practicing your religion is something of your own choice. You can't impose it on others. You have to respect the choice of others and you have to live as a Chinese citizen and be proud as a Chinese citizen.

I think it's very important to understand that Muslims - not only in China, but also in many other countries - should be part of these countries. The sovereignty of these nations should be respected according to the international law. And Muslims in China are Chinese citizens. We should respect that.

China is moving in the right direction in development. We need to understand it. We need to respect the choice of the Chinese people on their system and to engage with them.

Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of The World Muslim Communities Council from the UAE, talks with Xu Guixiang, spokesperson of the Xinjiang regional government, on January 11. Photo: Liu Xin/GT

GT: Some countries are using topics related to religion to attack China. What is their real purpose?

Al Nuaimi: There are things that we should not solve with political differences or with political agendas, such as religion, terrorism, climate change or poverty. These are challenges that we are facing everywhere. The problem is that when politicians are engaged with religion, they spoil it. 

Terrorism is not a threat to a single nation or a single region; it is a threat to the world. We will not be able to counter terrorism unless we are together. Because especially with the internet and with social media, terrorism is moving from one continent to another. Terrorists don't respect international law. 

If you can't have development, you can't have security. You can't have stability unless you counter terrorism. And this is what you have to understand. If China didn't enjoy security, stability and prosperity, the world would suffer.

GT: What do you think about the Xinjiang region's deradicalization efforts?

Al Nuaimi: You always measure the quality of any program by the outcome. If you want to know how effective the program is, look at the outcome. 

Since 2016, there have been no terrorist attacks in the Xinjiang region. That is a great achievement and that proves what has been done here actually led to the right result and the right outcome. 

You do whatever is needed to protect your national security, to protect your people. It's your priority to protect your national security and your people with respect to the rule of law. And this is what's happening here.

GT: The delegation visited a technical college in Kashi. Some Western media reports alleged that such technical schools in the Xinjiang region are "camps." What's your comment on this?

Al Nuaimi: I visited some technical centers in 2019. I am an academician. I visited most of the universities in North America and Europe and their colleges and technical centers. They don't have this for their youth. I wish that what we have seen today was available in all countries. 

Because here you see how you are taking care of the youth by first providing them with the right education, with the right training, and preparing them for the job market. 

It's a great achievement. What's happening here is something that the world needs to learn from. And I encourage you to share it, not only with those who criticize China now but also to share it with your friends in Africa, in Latin America and in Central Asia. They need these things to solve many challenges that they are facing in their society.

Members of a delegation consisting of more than 30 Islamic figures and scholars from 14 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, visit a Urumqi bazaar and take photos with local residents during their trip to China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on January 8. Photo: Liu Xin/GT

GT: But the US and some Western countries do not see these as achievements and have criticized China for these centers.

Al Nuaimi: Don't listen to those who criticize you. If you listen to this criticism, you will be misguided. You will spend some of your resources to deal with this criticism. No. Focus on your national priority. Make sure all your resources are in the right place to develop your country, to invest in your citizens and to do the right thing for your nation.

GT: We have noticed after the delegation's visit was reported in recent days, some people in the West are criticizing you and the delegation. What do you think about this criticism?

Al Nuaimi: We have to do what we are doing. We should have the courage to speak loudly what we believe. 

GT: How about criticism from Western countries?

Al Nuaimi:  We don't have a political agenda by being here. We are here to do the right thing, to build bridges between the Muslim world and China and to do the right thing that will serve the common interests of Muslims all over the world and China.

GT: Is there anything you want to say to Xinjiang residents and Chinese people and the outside world?

Al Nuaimi: I want to say to Xinjiang: congratulations on your achievement. The world needs you to focus on serving your national security, national prosperity, so make sure that you don't engage or listen to those who want to undermine the development of China or those who criticize China. It's not because of what China is doing; they criticize China because they want to slow or undermine your achievements and your development.

We need China. We need a secure, stable, and prosperous China. This is in the best interests of us all.