On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, it was my first day in Xinjiang. The day began with breakfast. After breakfast, we were given a booklet in which it was written that we had to attend the opening ceremony organized for the delegates who had arrived from all over the world from Asia, Africa, and Europe. We all gathered in a large hall where we were warmly welcomed. The first person I met was Dr. Jamal, who had come from Canada. After a brief introduction and a light conversation about Canada and Pakistan, the formal ceremony began in the hall. All the distinguished guests who had arrived in Xinjiang were given a heartfelt welcome. The delegation included 19 media directors from various countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. After the ceremony, participants from different countries introduced themselves and engaged in discussions. Our next destination was the Xinjiang Museum (Ürümqi). Upon arrival, we were introduced to Xinjiang’s history, culture, and ancient civilizations. While observing the artifacts, I felt how great and historically rich this land is, and how beautifully the people here have preserved their history and culture. The truth is that only those nations gain recognition in the world that keep their heritage and traditions alive. The museum proved how unique Xinjiang is culturally. This museum is located in Ürümqi, the capital of the region and Xinjiang’s largest and most comprehensive museum. Its purpose is to preserve the written history, culture, and civilization of this land. Among the most famous exhibits are ancient mummies and objects reflecting the region’s ethnic and cultural diversity. More than 56 ethnic groups live in Xinjiang, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Hui, Mongols, Kyrgyz, and Tajiks. The museum displays their traditional clothing, music, handicrafts, household items, and Silk Road heritage. Since Xinjiang is the heart of the Silk Road, the museum also holds coins, pottery, Buddhist relics, ancient trade routes, as well as Bronze and Iron Age objects that highlight cultural exchanges between China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Ancient state relics and remains of old cities are also preserved there. Afterward, a lecture was delivered in which Xinjiang’s strategic issues and details were explained step by step. This session made it clear that Xinjiang’s culture represents 56 different ethnic groups.
We also realized that the propaganda spread by the West that Muslims or other ethnic groups here lack rights or recognition is far from reality. The museum itself demonstrated that not only are people’s rights protected, but their past, culture, and traditions are also formally recognized and preserved by the Chinese government. This was a unique reality.
Our next visit was to the Ürümqi International Land Port, which is a major hub of the city. It is considered a central point of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Belt and Road Initiative. The purpose of this land port is to integrate customs, freight, multimodal transport (rail, road, and sea), logistics, cross-border e-commerce, warehousing, and cold chain systems.
There, we were given a detailed briefing and witnessed the development with our own eyes. This land port is described as the “Western Gateway” of China’s trade, linking China to Central Asia, Europe and other regions. It strengthens Eurasian supply chains and is a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s Western Development policies.
Participants from Libya, Saudi Arabia and Somalia showed special interest in the development here. The new shining cars attracted everyone’s attention, as did the modern facilities. Smart manufacturing lines have also been introduced here, and since 2018 this port has developed significantly. We saw production, logistics, and trade activities, including cars ready for export. At the end, we all took a group photo. Outside, red beautiful apples were growing in the gardens and our Chinese hosts plucked fresh apples from the trees and offered them to us. For me personally, the most interesting moment was the visit to the Islamic Center, as I had always been curious about it. I had often heard negative claims but never believed them, since Pakistan and China’s relations have always been strong, and we are aware of Chinese policies and their friendship with Pakistan. Moreover, Chinese Muslim students often study in Pakistani universities, which further deepens our mutual bond.
Visiting the Islamic Center was a moment of eagerness and joy for me. It is a formally recognized higher religious educational institution. When we arrived there, we saw a beautiful, clean, and well-maintained building. The head of the institution warmly welcomed us. Here, teaching is conducted in Arabic, Uyghur, Kazakh, and other local languages. This center in Ürümqi has eight more branches in different locations. Islamic studies, including the Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic law, are regularly taught here.
When I toured the classrooms, I saw children in neat uniforms and caps reciting Surah Al-Kousar, which filled my heart with joy. I also saw translations of the Qur’an in different languages such as Arabic, Uyghur, and Kazakh. We visited classrooms, spoke to students and then toured the library, which was filled with modern Islamic books. We also saw the E-library, and afterward went to the canteen where we were served tea in bowls, in accordance with traditional Islamic hospitality.
Later, we were shown the ablution area and finally, we entered the mosque barefoot, as Islamic etiquette requires. The Imam himself came to welcome me and asked if I was from Pakistan. I presented to him my books on China-Pakistan friendship, which he greatly appreciated. As Muslims, a bond of brotherhood exists no matter where in the world we are.
I returned from the Islamic Center with a peaceful and happy heart. On the way back to the hotel, we saw clean roads, shining cars and a beautiful, organized environment all around us. The memories of the Islamic Center remained fresh in my heart. When I reached the hotel, I shared my impressions with my family, telling them about the peace, love and warmth I had experienced there. At dinner that night, I reflected on an important lesson what we see with our own eyes is always different from what we are told. Islam also teaches us not to accept hearsay until it is verified. The propaganda spread about Xinjiang is baseless. The people here live freely, preserve their culture and enjoy their rights. Those who raise slogans of human rights should look at nearby regions like Afghanistan, where rivers of blood flowed from 1979 to 2021. The allegations against China regarding Muslims’ rights are unfounded.
That was my first day in Xinjiang.
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