On April 27, 2023, the Xi'an Social Science Planning Fund Management Office announced the list of projects approved for the 2023 Xi'an Social Science Planning Fund. Northwest University had 23 projects approved. Among them, our school’s teacher, Zhao Na, led the project titled Historical Investigation of the Cultural Integration in Xi'an: A Case Study of the Inscriptions at the Huajue Lane Mosque, which was approved (Project Number: 23LW251)."
The project focuses on the study of inscriptions preserved in the Mosque of Huajue Lane in Xi'an. By examining inscriptions in different languages and their rubbings, the project aims to analyze the interaction and integration among Chinese civilization, Arab civilization, and Persian civilization in the process of Islamic Sinicization. It seeks to explore the historical background of inscription engraving and the cultural identity sought by Muslim communities. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural confidence and enhancing Chinese cultural identity. The religious relics, including inscriptions in Chinese, Arabic, and Persian languages preserved in the Mosque of Huajue Lane in Xi'an, represent tangible evidence of the Sinicization of Islam and the integration of diverse cultures in Xi'an. They are essential materials for studying the cultural identity of the Chinese nation and the history of interaction between Islamic civilization and Chinese civilization. The research adopts field research methods, historical research methods, and interdisciplinary approaches to examine the role of multilingualism in the construction of the Chinese nation. It also interprets profound interactions among various civilizations along the Silk Road from the perspectives of faith, trade, and diplomacy.
Text: Li Zhaoyan