Apple Removes Quran App From China App Store

 

According to a BBC report, Apple has removed an app used for reading a digital copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran. The app is available across the world and is said to be recognized by more than 25 million Muslim users across the world. 

BBC states that the app was removed due to the contents being deemed “illegal religious text” by Chinese authorities. This application is still downloadable everywhere else on the Apple App Store and also the Google Play Store.

Apple Censorship first noticed the app’s deletion. They are a website that keeps track of the Apple App Store around the world.

 

Why?

According to the maker of the app, Pakistan Data Management Services, Apple told them that to resolve this issue, they would need to get in touch with the relevant authorities. They also mentioned that the app has been removed because it requires additional documentation. The app supposedly has almost one million users in China.

Although Islam is recognized by the Chinese Communist Party in the country, China has been accused of violating human rights, mainly towards the Muslim Uyghur community in Xinjiang. In its human rights report, the State Department reported in March 2021 that “genocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.”

Apple has yet to comment on the situation, however, they have faced controversy in recent times over how they comply with local rules. Apple’s stance is to abide by local laws whether or not they agree with the regulations.

Recently, another religious app was also removed in China, the Olive Tree’s Bible app. Similarly, the app’s spokesperson stated that further documentation was needed for the app to be allowed in China. 

 

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