Learning about the Muslim “Hui Hui”
I answered a few questions earlier today via e-mail about thestatus of the ministry taking place among the Hui Muslim nationality in China. I don't consider myself an expert on the Hui, but we have spent considerable time over the last 8 or so years living in and among them. My son was even born in a city dominated by Hui Muslim culture. The Hui (or, Hui Hui, as they have sometimes been called) number more than 10 million in China and are the largest (by population) Muslim people group in the nation. Here are the questions I was asked, followed by my answers: 1. What is the current status of the church among the Hui? Is it accurate to say that there no established works among them, underground or otherwise? --- I would agree with that. Definitely nothing strongly "established". but there are many scattered believers and small, loosely organized fellowships of new believers in various places. 2. How many known believers are among the Hui to your knowledge? --- A friend of mine, who is much more of an expert on the Hui than me, said that the Hui church was estimated to have 50 believers around the year 2000 and that has grown to maybe as many as 5000 today (out of 11 or so million). 3. What is your strategy in reaching the Hui, if you feel comfortable sharing?
--- I wouldn't say that I have a special strategy just for the Hui, but our focus is primarily on sharing and explaining the Gospel to more rural, lower-working class Hui, and teaching the Bible to those who do show interest or become believers. I have another friend who feels like he's called to reach the Hui in the cities and in the marketplace. I just feel like the rural people are more open to talk and there are more opportunities to talk freely in those settings than in cities.
4. What challenges are there in ministry among the Hui?
— I can't think of anything that wouldn't also be true among other Muslims or people groups with a strong non-Christian religious background. For new believers, there's a lot of bad pressure from families and societies. A lot of people are friendly with you and like you until their friends and family start becoming Christians, and then you'll be seen as an enemy of sorts.
5. What other strategies do you think can be employed to reach the Hui?
— The most unique thing I know of right now is a project to reach out to the growing number of Hui who are using the internet. Some friends are using targeted websites and online ads to point Hui to online bibles and evangelistic sites and forums. They are having quite a bit of success.
6. What do you think about the effectiveness of a Westerner engaging the Hui in ministry compared to a Han Chinese Christian doing the same?
— There are great advantages, and some disadvantages. For instance, although Westerners carry some baggage in the eyes of Muslims related to the distant past, Han Chinese are seen as more recent enemies in land and cultural wars that have been fought. They don't mingle much, and definitely don't eat in each others homes. However, as Westerners, we are constantly invited into Hui homes and have even convinced Hui to come over and eat with us.
The disadvantages relate mostly to cultural and linguistic differences. Han Chinese in general share much of the same broader culture with the Hui, and speak at least a form of the same language… making communication less of a barrier. That being said, a Han believer from certain places in eastern China might not be able to speak to a rural Hui farmer from certain pockets of western China any better than someone fresh over from America! The dialects can be that different!
7. Are there opportunities for Han Chinese Christians to minister to Hui?
— Yes! Opportunities abound for Western or Han missionaries to engage the way in countless ways. The Hui are rich and poor, and live in countless cities and contexts. The sky is the limit on what can and should be done to reach them!
Dear Brother,
After hearing once again the John Paper preaching that mentioned your website, I decided to take a look over here. The stories about the Hui people are so moving that took me to the tears. I am now praying for you, and hope I can help in some other way.
Nilbberth Silva, from Brazil.