Christianity in Xinjiang: historical and contemporary overview

Abstract

Although the religious identity of the Uyghur people in China has historically been closely associated with Islam, recent cases of Uyghurs embracing Christianity have attracted growing scholarly attention. This phenomenon remains rare and socially sensitive, emerging within the broader context of religious diversity, urbanization, migration, globalization, and increasing cultural interaction in contemporary Chinese society. The conversion of Uyghurs to Christianity is particularly significant because it occurs under China’s strict religious regulations and within a community where Islam has long served as a central marker of ethnic identity and social cohesion. Religious conversion in this context extends beyond a personal change of faith and represents a complex socio-cultural process that may influence individual status, communal relationships, and perceptions of ethnic belonging. This study examines the political, social, cultural, and personal factors that contribute to Uyghurs’ adoption of Christianity and analyzes its implications for ethnic identity, community dynamics, and religious policy in modern China today.

Keywords: Christianity, Xinjiang, Uyghurs, Religious Conversion, Religious Identity