Diaspora and Prejudice

This is day 18 of 32. Throughout April, we will be posting daily. We invite you to learn about Chinese Muslims and pray with us for God’s glory to be made known among them. If you would like to read other posts in this series, you can find them here.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Cities in Gansu contain neighborhoods and sections with high populations of Dongxiang people. Dongxiang people refer to these areas as Little Dongxiang. When Han people or even other Chinese Muslims look for apartments they intentionally avoid these Dongxiang areas. One Muslim woman from another people group was overheard saying, “Why would someone want to live in that area? That place is no good, there are too many Dongxiang living there, they are a bunch of barbarians, the dregs of society, so it is a dangerous place to live.”

There is a large Dongxiang population in the provincial capital of Gansu, but they are commonly relegated to lower status jobs and are considered to be violent or drug dealers. Even other Chinese Muslims such as the Hui look down on them as a lesser people.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray that Little Dongxiang will be transformed by the power of the Spirit.

• Pray that Little Dongxiang will be known as the place where the love of the Lord dwells.