China's Muslims and Japan's Empire: Centering Islam in World War II

During World War II, imperial Japan aimed to defeat the Chinese Nationalists by winning the hearts and minds of Sino-Muslims, a vital minority population. They offered programs that presented themselves as protectors of Islam, hoping to create new Muslim consumer markets and subvert the existing global capitalist world order. Hammond argues that the competition for their loyalty was central to the creation of the ethnoreligious identity of Muslims living on the Chinese mainland and their incorporation into the Chinese state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2020
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

In this captivating transnational history of World War II, Kelly A. Hammond takes us on a journey to explore the intricate challenges faced by imperial Japan in its efforts to undermine Chinese nation-building endeavors. By delving into the lesser-known story of Japan's fascination with Islam during its occupation of North China, Hammond unveils the strategic endeavors of the Japanese Empire to win the hearts and minds of the Sino-Muslims, a vital minority population. Recognizing the power of this minority group, the Japanese embarked on a mission to offer programs that portrayed themselves as protectors of Islam, aiming to provide Muslims with a viable alternative and, at the same time, to create new Muslim consumer markets that would serve as a catalyst for challenging the existing global capitalist world order and destabilizing the Soviets.

To unravel this intricate narrative, Hammond emphasizes the need to restore agency to the Muslims in China who actively engaged in the complex negotiations and political maneuvering between the Chinese Nationalists and the Japanese Empire. Their wartime experiences played a pivotal role in shaping the ethnoreligious identities of Muslims residing on the Chinese mainland, as they navigated the competing loyalties and influences. This historical context ultimately contributed to the formation of Sino-Muslims' religious identities within global Islamic networks, as well as their integration into the Chinese state, where the conditions of their incorporation remain fraught with instability and ongoing contests.

Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Hammond sheds light on the multifaceted complexities of this historical period, providing a fresh perspective on the intricate interplay between religion, politics, and empire-building. Her book offers valuable insights into the ways in which minority populations, particularly Muslims, were instrumental in shaping the course of World War II and the subsequent geopolitical landscape. By highlighting the experiences of Sino-Muslims, Hammond contributes to our understanding of the broader global history of religion and its impact on societies and cultures.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469659657