Sign of the times: China’s capital orders Arabic, Muslim symbols taken down | World News, The Indian Express

Sign of the times: China’s capital orders Arabic, Muslim symbols taken down | World News, The Indian Express

By Reuters |Beijing |Published: July 31, 2019 2:04:33 pm

Sign of the times: China’s capital orders Arabic, Muslim symbols taken down

The campaign against Arabic script and Islamic images marks a new phase of a drive that has gained momentum since 2016, aimed at ensuring religions conform with mainstream Chinese culture.

The Arabic script on the signboard of a halal food store is seen covered, at Niujie area in Beijing, China, July 19, 2019. (REUTERS)

Authorities in the Chinese capital have ordered halal restaurants and food stalls to remove Arabic script and symbols associated with Islam from their signs, part of an expanding national effort to “Sinicize” its Muslim population.