Beijing’s Bold Move: Removing Arabic Scripts from Halal Shops
Picture this: a bustling noodle stall in Beijing, the scent of ginger and soy curls around the air, and suddenly—no more Arabic script on the sign. The Chinese government is giving halal restaurants a facelift that’s more about cultural conformity than culinary delight.
What’s Going On?
The authorities have issued a directive to strip Arabic symbols from the signage of halal establishments across the city. This includes:
- The crescent moon icon
- Arabic words like “halal” (halāl)
- Any other Islamic graphics deemed “foreign” to mainstream Chinese culture
According to a handful of chefs and shopkeepers, local government workers literally walked into the kitchens of 11 restaurants, told them to cover up or replace Arabic script, and watched them do it. One noodle shop manager recalled the moment: “They say it’s foreign culture; we should lean into Chinese culture.” At times, the changes were as simple as taping over the Arabic, but many outlets swapped in the Chinese term qing zhen (meaning “halal”).
The Bigger Picture: A “Sinicisation” Push
Since 2016, Beijing has been tightening its grip on religious expression, aiming to weave a tapestry that aligns closely with the Communist Party narrative. While the constitution guarantees religious freedom, the reality is a series of prunings:
- Mosques have been rebuilt with Chinese‑style pagodas
- Underground churches are being shut down and crosses torn down
- The government’s crackdown in Xinjiang follows a 2009 riot involving Uyghurs, attacking the city with knives, crude bombs, and police brutality
- Mass detentions and surveillance of Uyghurs have sparked criticism from the West and human‑rights advocates
“New Normal” or A Culture War?
Anthropologist Darren Byler points out that Arabic is being treated as an “unknown foreign language” that threatens state control. “They worry about foreign influence making religion hard to manage,” he says. He believes the goal is to keep Chinese language at the center of religious practice.
Meanwhile, University of Arkansas assistant professor Kelly Hammond sees these measures as paving the way for a “new normal” where all religion is channeled through Chinese culture.
How Are Local Shopkeepers Coping?
Out of the on‑ground accounts, most shopkeepers seem okay with the changes—though some admit it causes confusion for customers. One butcher’s employee cried out, “They’re making us erase Muslim culture!”—but overall they’re trying to adapt to what’s now the new “national unity” standard.
Whether all halal restaurants in Beijing have obeyed the directive remains unclear. Still, many have started replacing Arabic signs with qing zhen or simply taped over Islamic imagery.
TL;DR
- The Chinese government wants halal signs free of Arabic script
- They’re part of a bigger push to “Sinicise” religious expression
- Similar moves are happening in Xinjiang and over Christian churches
- Shopkeepers are adapting but feel the cultural shift lags behind their identity
So, there you have it: Beijing’s culinary culture makeover—where every noodle bowl comes with an extra dash of patriotic paperwork.
