Reports surfaced alleging that China has transformed mosques into venues for parties, drinking, music, and dancing, while detaining Muslims in what some call mental health treatment camps.
Circulating widely on social platforms, they have reignited global concerns over China’s policies toward its Muslim population, particularly Uyghur and Hui communities.
Human rights groups and activists assert these actions are part of a broader campaign to suppress Islamic culture, though Chinese authorities deny such allegations, insisting their policies promote social stability.
The controversy stems from people claiming mosques in Xinjiang and Ningxia have been repurposed into nightlife spots, complete with alcohol and dance events.
The report noted that about one-third of mosques in Ningxia, roughly 1,300, were closed or altered since 2020, with domes and minarets removed to align with “Sinicisation” policies under President Xi Jinping.
In Xinjiang, home to millions of Uyghur Muslims, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute estimated in 2020 that 65% of mosques, approximately 16,000, were damaged or demolished since 2017.
Some were reportedly converted into secular spaces, like cultural centres or workspaces, though claims of nightlife venues remain unsubstantiated. Gansu’s 2019 report described mosques as “poverty alleviation workshops” following ideological reprogramming, which fuelled speculation about their current use.
Parallel allegations involve mass detentions of Muslims in what critics call reeducation camps, labelled by some as mental health facilities to “cure” religious extremism. A 2021 Amnesty International report detailed the internment of over 1 million Uyghurs, involving forced renunciation of Islam, consumption of pork, and Communist Party propaganda sessions.
Former detainees described psychological trauma, with one reporting suicidal thoughts. China maintains that these camps serve as vocational training centres, despite restricting access for independent verification.
In China, mosques are transformed into places where people party, drink, listen to music, and dance, and Muslims are locked up in mental health treatment camps. pic.twitter.com/zRU07sC055
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) September 28, 2025
The claims have sparked outrage online for international action. However, a Chinese embassy spokesperson told Reuters in 2025 that Muslims enjoy sufficient religious sites, and the government funds mosque maintenance.
Critics, including scholar Hannah Theaker, argue these policies reflect Islamophobia, aiming to erase Islamic identity. As global scrutiny grows, the lack of verifiable evidence for party venues shows the need for cautious reporting amid China’s opaque governance.