Qīngzhēn

Qīngzhēn (清真) is the Chinese term for Mosques, Islamic institutions and extended to Synagogues. Its literal meaning is "pure truth". This term is given to both since the Chinese population has always had a hard time telling the difference between Chinese Jews, and Chinese Muslims. It is also the name of one of the first synogagues recorded in Chinese history.

In Chinese, halal and kosher are both called qīngzhēn cài (清真菜) or "pure truth food." Mosques and synagogues are both called qīngzhēn sì (清真寺) or "pure truth temple."

On a related note, Allah is referred by Chinese Muslims as "the True God Allah" and Hashem is referred by Chinese Jews as "the great and only creator."

See also

• Islam in China
• Judaism in China