Xiaoming Wang, a librarian in the East Asia Department of the Berlin State Library and an expert in the anthropology of Islam, dives into the lives of the Hui people in rural Ningxia. With a population of over 10 million, the Hui face unique challenges in preserving their identity amidst modernization and migration. Wang discusses the intricate relationship between their purity concepts, fasting practices, and socio-political dynamics. He also highlights the struggles of Hui women navigating cultural tensions and shifting roles in a rapidly changing society.

Xiaoming Wang, a librarian and cultural anthropologist, dives into the intricate identity of the Hui people, China's largest Muslim group, in rural Ningxia. He examines how migration reshapes their religious practices and beliefs, such as fasting and the concepts of purity. Wang shares insights from his field research, highlighting gender dynamics and the cultural challenges Hui women face within patriarchal norms. The discussion illustrates the impact of modernization on the Hui’s ethno-religious identity as they navigate cultural assimilation.