Islam Most Popular Religion in China among Youngsters

Beijing - Most followers of religion in China are youngsters, and Islam has its most followers under the age of 30, International Business Times reported quoting a survey carried out by the National Survey Research Center at Beijing’s Renmin University

Religion has a robust following among China’s younger generation despite the country's rule by the officially atheist Communist Party

China recognizes only five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam. Islam has the largest proportion of young followers, with 22.4 percent of those queried for the annual China Religion Survey

"Islam tends to have a younger demographic,” Wei Dedong, a professor of Buddhist studies at the School of Philosophy at Renmin who had a hand in the research, told the state-run Global Times

Wei said the research also found an increased interest from the government to maintain relations with local leaders and religious communities. The Administration for Religious Affairs visited places of worship 3.8 times a year, which Wei said is a sign the government is taking the initiative when it comes to the growth of religion in China. However, these steps toward freedom to practice religion are hampered by recent restrictions imposed by the government 

Local government bodies in far western Xinjiang province, home to a predominantly Muslim population, announced limits on Ramadan, restricting children, government employees and teachers from fasting during the holy month, in addition to other associated traditions .