A four day meeting of the Eighth Congress of Chinese Muslims
opened Monday in Beijing and the business includes the election of
a new committee and leaders for the Islamic Association of China
(IAC).
Attended by more than 360 delegates from 10 ethnic groups,
representing the country's 20 million Muslims, the congress
received congratulations from senior officials including
vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Ismail Amat,
vice-premier Hui Liangyu and vice-chairpersons of the
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference (CPPCC) Liu Yandong and Bai Lichen.
"Chinese Muslims have played an important role in promoting
China's economic growth, national unity and social stability," said
Liu Yandong. She added they would continue to contribute to the
process of assisting in building a prosperous society.?
Ye Xiaowen, director of the State Administration of Religious
Affairs, said Chinese Muslims' patriotic spirit could accomplish
much in building a harmonious and prosperous country.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2006)