China's 'Sinicization of Islam' policy leads to mosque closures and repurposing
A viral May 2026 video by a Pakistani vlogger claimed China is converting mosques in Kashgar, Xinjiang into dance bars, showing a woman dancing at a mosque while gates remained shut. While the video is real, the specific "dance bar" claim isn't fully verified, though it sparked debate in Pakistan and India about China's policies toward Uyghur Muslims. What's confirmed is that China has systematically closed, demolished, or altered over 2,000 mosques across Xinjiang, Ningxia, and Gansu under its "Sinicization of Islam" policy. Mosques are being repurposed as tourist attractions or cultural venues.
What's right
What's wrong
What's debatable
Breakdown
Scale of Mosque Alterations The available evidence strongly supports the claim that China is systematically closing, demolishing, and altering mosques as part of its "Sinicization of Islam" policy. Human Rights Watch and others report significant reductions in mosques and the removal of Islamic architectural features [2][3][5].
Estimates suggest a vast number of mosques have been affected, particularly in Xinjiang, where around 16,000 have been destroyed or damaged [4]. Repurposing of Mosques Sources confirm that these altered or demolished mosques are often repurposed for secular uses, such as tourist attractions or cultural venues [2][3][4].
This aligns with the policy's aim to control and reshape religious practices and cultural identity [2][5]. The Viral Video and "Dance Bar" Claim The viral video from May 2026, showing a dance performance in a mosque-like building, is real and has sparked debate [1].
However, the specific assertion that the mosque was converted into a "dance bar" remains unverified [1]. While the visual evidence of a performance in a building with mosque-like features exists, the exact nature of its current use as a "dance bar" is not definitively proven by the provided context.
The claim of "over 2,000 mosques" is also an underestimate compared to the figures cited for Xinjiang alone [4].