Xi spreads the word on fighting terror

Abudulrekep delivered a short speech, telling the president that the government-funded expansion of the institute will commence sometime before June. Upon completion of the project, the school will have 1,000 students training to become imams and serve the region's 10 million Muslims.

"Xi listened carefully as I made a couple of suggestions," Abudulrekep said. He told the president that he hoped the government will deepen the training program for imams so they will have up-to-date knowledge that will allow them to satisfy people's growing curiosity and provide answers to new questions. The imam also expressed the view that information on the Internet should be administered more effectively to prevent the dissemination of inflammatory extremist material.

In response, Xi said religion needs to adapt to social developments, but pointed out that religious publications contain wisdom that can help guide people toward tolerance and acts of kindness.

Because most of those involved in terrorist attacks in Xinjiang in recent years have been under the influence of religious extremists, Xi said he hoped the leaders will help steer people away from extreme viewpoints.

Local police said that the two people who carried out the April 30 attack at the railway station in Urumqi were long-term participants in extreme religious activity.

On Sunday, Zhang Chunxian, the Party chief of Xinjiang, said the region will push forward the integration of counterterrorism work into daily life in an effort to eliminate extremism.

Referring to "the Motherland's Xinjiang", Xi said the issue isn't just a regional matter, but of crucial importance to China because the region's long-term success is vital to the whole country's reform, development and stability, and, ultimately, national security.

Contact the author at: cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn

Xinhua contributed to this story.