JEDDAH: Over 12,000 Chinese pilgrims are expected to arrive for this year’s Haj. A 150-member Chinese Haj mission, including 44 doctors and paramedics, is already here to receive them. The first batch of pilgrims will land at the Haj Terminal on Saturday.

Vice President of China Islamic Association Mustafa Yang Zhibo, who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, told Arab News women accounted for two fifths of Chinese pilgrims. All of them are aged between 35 and 70 and will be vaccinated against H1N1.

Islam established itself as one of the five major religions in China after it entered the country 1,300 years ago. China, with more than 1.3 billion people, has a Muslim population of 23 million, mainly concentrated in the northwest provinces of Xinjiang and Ninxing. At a reception hosted in his honor at the residence of Chinese Consul General Wang Yong, Zhibo said the community is free to practice the religion. China has 40,000 mosques and several Islamic schools, including 10 major institutions. More than 15,000 Islamic workers are active in spreading the message of peace and tolerance.

Zhibo recalled the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to China recently and said both countries shared a common goal — to create a harmonious society. He thanked the king and the Kingdom for providing excellent facilities and enabling the pilgrims to perform Haj with ease and comfort.

The China Islamic Association was established on May 11, 1953 in Beijing and represents Chinese Muslims nationwide. It also organizes Haj and Umrah pilgrimages for Muslims in the country. Since it was created the organization has been contributing to government efforts in implementing the policy of freedom of religion, carrying forward the tradition of Islam, unifying Muslims in participating in the country’s development, promoting friendly relations with Muslims in other countries, and maintaining peace. The association has played its part in maintaining China’s stability and in its economic and social development.