七、尊重和保护宗教信仰自由

　　新疆历史上就是一个多种宗教并存的地区。目前，新疆有伊斯兰教、佛教、基督教、天主教、道教等。

　　新中国成立前，新疆宗教关系十分复杂，历史上不同宗教之间、同一宗教的不同教派之间发生过很多冲突。10世纪中叶，信仰伊斯兰教的喀喇汗王朝向信仰佛教的于阗王国发动了40余年的宗教战争。这场战争给新疆南部地区经济社会和人民生活造成了严重的破坏，佛教徒被迫改信伊斯兰教，佛教文化更几近毁灭。明清时期，伊斯兰教内部分裂为黑山派和白山派，两派进行了长达数百年的激烈争斗，穆斯林群众在两派斗争中被迫选边站队，失去了宗教信仰的自由。

VII. Respecting and Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief

Xinjiang is a region where several religions have existed side by side since ancient times. The religions in Xinjiang today include Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Daoism and Orthodox Eastern Church.

Before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the relations between different religions were very complicated. In history, there were frequent conflicts between different religions and between different sects of the same religion. In the mid-10th century, the Islamic Kara-Khanid Khanate launched a religious war against the Buddhist kingdom of Khotan. Having lasted for more than 40 years, the war caused great damage to the society and economy of southern Xinjiang and dreadful sufferings to the people there. Buddhist believers were forced to convert to Islam, and Buddhist culture was almost totally destroyed in the area. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1912), Islam split into two hostile sects - Qara-taghlyq (black mountain) and Aq-taghlyq (white mountain), whose bitter feuds lasted for hundreds of years. Muslims were compelled to take side, either this or that, thereby forfeiting their religious freedom.

　　新中国成立以来，民族区域自治制度的落实，宗教信仰自由政策的贯彻实施，宗教制度的民主改革和对宗教事务的依法管理，促进了新疆各宗教的和睦相处。信教和不信教公民以及信仰不同宗教公民相互尊重和理解，新疆各宗教迎来了和谐共处的新的历史阶段，各族人民真正获得了宗教信仰自由的权利。

　　宗教信仰自由是中国宪法赋予公民的一项基本权利。《中华人民共和国宪法》规定：“中华人民共和国公民有宗教信仰自由。”《中华人民共和国民族区域自治法》明确规定：“民族自治地方的自治机关保障各民族公民有宗教信仰自由。”“任何国家机关、社会团体和个人不得强制公民信仰宗教或者不信仰宗教，不得歧视信仰宗教的公民和不信仰宗教的公民。”“国家保护正常的宗教活动。”2004年国务院公布的《宗教事务条例》明确规定：“公民有宗教信仰自由。”“国家依法保护正常的宗教活动，维护宗教团体、宗教活动场所和信教公民的合法权益。”

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the policy of religious freedom is implemented together with the practice of the policy of ethnic regional autonomy; democratic reform of religious system and law-based management of religious affairs have helped the harmonious coexistence among different religions in Xinjiang. Citizens believing in or not believing in region have treated one another with respect and understanding, ushering in a new historical period of harmonious coexistence of the various religions in Xinjiang. It is then the people of all ethnic groups in the region have indeed got the right to freedom of religious belief.

Freedom of religious belief is a basic right bestowed by the Constitution on all its citizens. It is stipulated in the Constitution as follows: "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief." The Law of the People's Republic of China on Ethnic Regional Autonomy clearly rules, "Organs of self-government in ethnic autonomous areas guarantee the freedom of religious belief to citizens of the various ethnic groups..."; "No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion..."; "The state protects normal religious activities." In addition, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on Religious Affairs in 2004, which stipulates, "Citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief..."; "The state protects normal religious activities, as well as the legal rights and interests of believers, religious organizations and venues for religious activities in accordance with the law."