Nanjing‘s Arabic Tapestry: From Silk Roads to Modern Academia269

The ancient city of Nanjing, a former capital of imperial China and a strategic hub on the Yangtze River, might seem geographically and culturally distant from the Arab world. Yet, beneath its layers of imperial history and modern dynamism lies a rich, enduring, and often overlooked tapestry woven with threads of Arabic language and Islamic culture. This intricate connection, spanning over a millennium, speaks volumes about the cross-cultural dialogue that has historically shaped both regions, moving from the bustling trade routes of antiquity to the hallowed halls of contemporary academia. As a language expert, delving into this fascinating intersection reveals not just a historical curiosity but a profound testament to the power of linguistic and cultural exchange.

The genesis of this relationship can be traced back to the burgeoning Silk Roads, both terrestrial and maritime, that linked the East and West. While the land routes brought caravans laden with goods and ideas across Central Asia, the maritime Silk Road, which gained prominence during the Tang and Song dynasties (7th-13th centuries), connected China's coastal cities and riverine ports like Nanjing (via the Yangtze River) with the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and eventually, the Arabian Peninsula. Arab and Persian merchants, often pioneering seafarers and intrepid traders, were among the earliest foreign communities to establish themselves in Chinese port cities. These merchants, devout Muslims, brought with them not only exotic goods but also their faith, language, and customs. Arabic, as the liturgical language of Islam and often a lingua franca of trade in the Indian Ocean, became an early conduit for communication and cultural exchange. Though Nanjing was not a primary coastal port, its strategic inland location meant it benefited from and contributed to this extensive network, receiving goods, people, and ideas that had traversed these routes.

However, the relationship between Nanjing and the Arab-Islamic world truly entered a golden age during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when Nanjing served as the imperial capital. It was during this period that one of China's most renowned historical figures, Zheng He (1371-1433), embarked on his legendary seven maritime expeditions. What is often highlighted are the sheer scale of his treasure fleets and the vast distances he covered, reaching as far as East Africa. What is perhaps less emphasized, yet critically relevant to our discussion, is Zheng He’s unique background. A Muslim eunuch born to a Hui family in Yunnan, his name was originally Ma He, "Ma" being a common Chinese surname for Muslims, derived from "Muhammad." His faith undoubtedly played a significant role in facilitating his interactions with the Islamic world during his voyages.

Zheng He’s expeditions established direct diplomatic and trade links with numerous Arab states and Muslim-majority regions, including the Sultanates of Oman, Yemen, and the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt (via its port of Jeddah). His fleets carried not only Chinese silks and porcelain but also interpreters, possibly including those proficient in Arabic, essential for navigating complex diplomatic negotiations and ensuring smooth trade. These interactions led to a two-way exchange: Chinese goods and technologies flowing westward, and Arab astronomical, cartographic, medical, and religious knowledge finding its way eastward. While specific Arabic texts translated or studied in Nanjing during this exact period are harder to pinpoint, the general exposure to Arabic and Islamic scholarship would have been substantial, especially within the Muslim communities in the capital. The sheer ambition of these voyages, originating from the Ming capital's sphere of influence, underscores Nanjing's pivotal role in China’s engagement with the broader Islamic world.

The legacy of these historical interactions is most visibly manifested in Nanjing through its thriving Hui community and its historic mosques. The Hui, one of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, are descendants of Arab, Persian, and Central Asian Muslims who settled in China and intermarried with the local population, adopting Chinese customs while retaining their Islamic faith. Nanjing has historically been home to a significant Hui population, forming a vibrant cultural and religious enclave within the city.

Central to the Hui community's life and the preservation of Arabic language in Nanjing are its mosques. The most prominent among them is the Jingjue Temple Mosque (净觉寺), also known as the Nanjing Mosque, believed to have been founded in the Tang Dynasty, though its current form largely dates back to the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the oldest and most historically significant mosques in China. Its architecture, a unique blend of traditional Chinese temple design and Islamic elements, serves as a tangible symbol of cultural syncretism. Within its hallowed walls, and those of other mosques like the Jinling Mosque, Arabic is not merely a foreign language but a sacred tongue. It is the language of the Quran, the Hadith, and the daily prayers (Salat). For generations, these mosques have functioned as vital centers for religious education, where children and adults alike learn to recite the Quran in its original Arabic, thereby ensuring the linguistic continuity of their faith. This practice highlights a critical distinction: for the Hui, Arabic is primarily a liturgical and theological language, much like Latin was for medieval European scholars or Sanskrit for Hindu priests – a language of profound cultural and spiritual significance, irrespective of its role in everyday spoken communication.

Beyond religious instruction, Nanjing has also emerged as a significant center for Arabic language and Islamic studies in modern China. Institutions like Nanjing University and Nanjing Normal University offer comprehensive programs in Arabic language and literature, as well as broader studies in Middle Eastern culture, history, and international relations. These programs aim to cultivate not just linguistic proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic but also a deep understanding of Arab societies and their historical contributions. Students engage with classical Arabic literature, contemporary Arab thought, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Arab world. This academic focus reflects China's growing global engagement and its recognition of the strategic importance of the Middle East. Furthermore, Nanjing has been a hub for scholars engaged in Chinese Islamic studies, researching the history of Islam in China, the cultural contributions of the Hui people, and the ongoing dialogue between Chinese and Islamic civilizations. This academic pursuit often involves working with historical Arabic and Persian texts, underscoring the enduring scholarly relevance of these languages in uncovering China's rich past.

The linguistic and cultural syncretism visible in Nanjing extends beyond religious texts and academic curricula. It can be subtly observed in certain cultural practices, architectural motifs, and even, to a limited extent, in vocabulary within the Hui community. The distinct blend of Chinese and Islamic artistic styles in mosque decorations, the shared culinary traditions, and certain social customs all attest to centuries of harmonious coexistence and mutual influence. While Arabic loanwords in everyday Chinese in Nanjing are rare and largely confined to specific religious terms (like *sala* for prayer, or *halal* for permissible food), the pervasive presence of Arabic script in calligraphy, especially within mosques and private homes, underscores its continued visual and symbolic power. These calligraphic artworks, often blending traditional Chinese brushwork with Arabic characters, represent a unique aesthetic fusion, embodying the very essence of Nanjing's Arabic tapestry.

In conclusion, Nanjing’s relationship with the Arabic language and Islamic culture is a multifaceted narrative, rich in historical depth and contemporary relevance. From the intrepid merchants navigating the ancient Silk Roads and the monumental voyages of Zheng He that directly connected Nanjing with the Arab world, to the enduring faith and cultural practices of its Hui community, and finally, to the sophisticated academic pursuits of its modern universities, Arabic has continuously played a pivotal role. It is a language that has served as a medium for trade, a vehicle for faith, a tool for diplomacy, and a subject for scholarship. Nanjing, therefore, stands as a compelling testament to the long and intricate history of cross-cultural dialogue between China and the Arab-Islamic world – a vibrant hub where the echoes of ancient caravans and the whispers of sacred texts resonate alongside the voices of modern academia, forging an enduring legacy of connection and mutual understanding.

2025-10-14

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