Author: Afakv
-
Islam in Southeast Asia and Zheng He’s Role (1/2)
Islam’s influence in Southeast Asia is a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and commercial factors. The region’s conversion to Islam in the 13th century was driven by trade connections with Muslim communities, spreading initially as a by-product. Locations like Kalah and Champa witnessed early Islamic settlements, and the rise of Islamic sultanates mirrored the decline…
-
The Hundred-Word Eulogy: an Analysis of an Islamic Poem by a Chinese Emperor
The Hundred-word Eulogy, written by Emperor Hongwu of Ming Dynasty China, praises the Prophet Muhammad and acknowledges the loyalty of Muslims. Despite historical debate over the authorship, evidence suggests the Emperor’s intimate knowledge of Islam. His rise from humble origins and utilization of Muslim generals further reflect his connection to the Muslim community.
-
Islamic Factions in China: A General Introduction
Chinese Islam is predominantly Sunni, with a minority practicing Shia Islam. Three major Islamic factions, known as Paibie, and four main Sufi paths, or Menhuan, operate in China. Sufism in China dates back to the 17th century and has significant influence, particularly in provinces like Gansu and Ningxia. Each faction and path follows Sunni practices…
-
Invading Japan: The Jurchen Menace
In 1019 C.E. Japan was invaded by the so-called Toi (刀夷). The Toi were actually the Jurchens, by then under the reign of the Khitanese Liao dynasty. For those interested, the Jurchens were the ancestors of the Manchus who would, some 600 years later, eventually conquer the entirety of China, vassalise the Mongols, invade Korea…
-
The Price of Dignity: Vincent Chin
Today we honour Vincent Chin. We honour his choices. We honour his way of life. We honour his dignity. We honour his life. This is why we choose the day that marked his life rather than the one that marked his death. Guangdong province, 18 May 1955 – a man was born who later be…
-
Ten Hours in Torreón: the Massacre of Cantonese Chinese during the Mexican Revolution
May 15th 1911, a military tribunal appointed by Emilio Madero met immediately after the tragedy we know today as the Torreón Massacre, or the Matanza de chinos de Torreón. After hearing testimonies, this tribunal concluded that the Maderista soldiers had committed atrocities. It was on May 15th that the Federal forces withdrew from Torreón, Coahuila,…
-
O Canada, our home and native banned: Chinese Immigration Act 1923
Canada is known on the internet as a polite place where everyone is nice and apologises for everything, but really, that just describes traditional Southern Chinese culture. Canada is a whole different story. When last year May it was discovered that countless native children have been murdered by the Canadians, it blemished their precious imagine.…
-
Road to Rukun Negara: the Tragedy of 13 May
Malaysia was under British colonial rule for a century. How they chose to use the Chinese Kongsi as a middle-man between themselves and the Bumiputera (indigenous) Malay people was effective in generating inter-ethnic strife between the Malays and the Chinese, the very same inter-ethnic strife that caused the 13 May incident of 1969. It seems…
-
Peranakan or not, the Chinese must rot: the 1998 Riots in Indonesia
The first time I heard a Chinese–Indonesian speak about his experiences was at a anniversary celebration in a Chinese Saturday school somewhere in the Netherlands (I forgot where, but it was a short drive from Utrecht). The speaker was a middle-aged man from Indonesia. He had a sort of demeanour about him that set him…
-
The Eight May Incident: Bombing the Chinese in Belgrade
On the night of May 7th to May 8th 1999, a US B2 bomber dropped 5 JDAM GPS precision guided bombs on the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. 3 people died, 20 more were injured. We should take care to remember Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu and Zhu Ying. This was a blatant attack on China, a…
Afakv's Memories 