Ikhwān

　　Ikhwān is one of the famous Islamic sects in China. Ikhwān means brothers in Arabic.

　　This sect emerged at the end of the 19th century, when many Islamic sects such as Qadim and Menhuan (saintly lineage) had emerged in China. This sect is quite different from the other major sects in terms of its religious views. That is why it is called New Sect or Newly-Emerging Sect. It advocates obeying scriptures and reforming customs in accordance with scriptures. It calls itself Zunjingpai (Fundamental Sect) or Shengxingpai (Holy Deed Sect)

　　Its founder Ma Wanfu lived in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). When he founded the sect, he put forward the famous religious creeds. The main contents of the creeds are: abolishing rites that are in conflict with Sharia, practicing Rukun in a certain order, refusing Tariqah, opposing pay for holding religious activities, emphasizing equality, not having a sheik, pursuing religious education in which Chinese cultures and Arabic cultures are given the same importance, and so on.

　　The believers of this sect are mainly scattered in Qinghai province, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Linxia of Gansu Province as well as other areas in Henan, Shandong and Hebei provinces. In 1937, this sect was split into two factions.