Apple takes down Koran app in China
By James Clayton
North America technology reporter



Someone reading the Koran on a smartphone
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Apple has taken down one of the world's most popular Koran apps in China, after a request from officials, the company has confirmed to the BBC.

Quran Majeed is available across the world on the App Store - and has nearly 150,000 reviews.

However, Apple removed the app at the request of Chinese officials, for hosting illegal religious texts, the company said.

The Chinese government has not responded to a request for comment.

The deletion of the app was first noticed by Apple Censorship - a website that monitors apps on Apple's App Store globally.

The Chinese Communist Party officially recognises Islam as a religion in the country.


However, China has been accused of human rights violations, and even genocide, against the mostly Muslim Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang.

Earlier this year the BBC reported that Uyghur imams had been targeted in China's Xinjiang crackdown.

Apple declined to comment, but directed the BBC to its Human Rights Policy, which states: "We're required to comply with local laws, and at times there are complex issues about which we may disagree with governments."

Screengrab from Quran Majeed promotional material
Image caption,Screengrab from Quran Majeed promotional material
However, it is not clear what rules the app has broken in China. Quran Majeed says it is "trusted by over 35 million Muslims globally".

Last month, both Apple and Google removed a tactical voting app devised by jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Russian authorities had threatened to fine the two companies if they refused to drop the app, which told users who could unseat ruling party candidates.

China is one of Apple's biggest markets, and the company's supply chain is heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has been accused of hypocrisy from politicians in the US for speaking out about American politics, but staying quiet about China.

Mr Cook criticised Donald Trump's ban of seven Muslim-majority countries in 2017.

However, he is also accused of complying with the Chinese government over censorship - and not publicly criticising it for its treatment of Muslim minorities.

The New York Times reported earlier this year that Apple takes down apps in China if deemed off limits by the Chinese government. Topics that apps cannot discuss include Tiananmen Square, the Chinese spiritual movement Falun Gong, the Dalai Lama, and independence for Tibet and Taiwan.

The BBC contacted the makers of the Quran Majeed app, but has not received a response.

Another popular religious app, Olive Tree's Bible App, was also taken down this week in China - but Apple says it was withdrawn by the company.

Olive Tree did not respond to a request for comment.

Benjamin Ismail, project director at Apple Censorship, said: "Currently Apple is being turned into the censorship bureau of Beijing.

"They need to do the right thing, and then face whatever the reaction is of the Chinese government."

On Thursday, Microsoft said it was shutting down its social network, LinkedIn, in China, saying having to comply with the Chinese state had become increasingly challenging.

The decision was made after the career-networking site faced questions for blocking the profiles of some journalists.
Source-BBC.COM

Maybe they are scared bomb will go off and kill people

They're being proactive,i no blame them.

Good
Nigeria should follow suits but not only quaran including the Bible

Prevention is better than cure.
Your reply will show how "peaceful" your religion is.

China don't want to harbor terrorists in disguise of religion

Religion of piss

jyz200:
Good
Nigeria should follow suits but not only quaran including the Bible

Those who read the Bible don't look for 72 virgins, so why bible?
Bandits, Bh, Isis, Taliban, are ?

How dare China


How dare they ban.the words of Allah...we will not take it



We demand an apology

terrorist religion..

the sultanate cabal of Nigeria will still go to them to be begging for money...people that despise your religion..

In Nigeria, Moslems have no shame or dignity

Please, no Muslim should react to any comment from the usual suspects like the ones above me.


Let your Iman be enough for you. You do not need validation from a fellow mumin, let alone someone who calls a human being that shit, drink water, sleeps and cry his own God.


The world is millions of years old, but they believe that someone who came just 2021 years ago is God. Trillions of people who lived before him created themselves, they did not have God. God started existing just 2021 years ago. Please, ignore them. Thanks.




I AM DONE TALKING

Bummer

PrinceOfLagos:
Maybe they are scared bomb will go off and kill people

That is one reason but the deal reason I'd that china is a communist state and it considers it's rules as overseeing other Influences such as religion.
So the Chinese govt screens any media materials that does not elevate the homeland Chinese govt

Saudi Arabia has a ban on churches, Bibles, religious symbols of other faiths. The Muslims have no moral compass to be angry at such.

The irony is that Muslims would choose China over US. And china does not tolerate islam. Confused people.

PrinceOfLagos:
Maybe they are scared bomb will go off and kill people

u supposed worry about Bible that exposed all the terrorism committed by Yahweh

Comedian2019:

Those who read the Bible don't look for 72 virgins, so why bible?
Bandits, Bh, Isis, Taliban, are ?

but the Bible exposed all the evil commited by Yahweh

Realitychannels:


Another popular religious app, Olive Tree's Bible App, was also taken down this week in China - but Apple says it was withdrawn by the company.

for those who wouldn't read well.. it's both sides

If they like let them go around and collect all the hard copies in circulation. The Quran is already in the hearts of many, firmly memorised. The USSR tried suppressing religion but it didn't stop them from propagating

They can ban the Quran app, but cannot ban it's memory.

The Qur'an is the most memorized book in human history. More Muslims know the Qur'an either as a whole or part off hand than any other group.

As usual, nairaland type of hedonistic Christians will jubilate over the actions of atheistic communists who generally hate religion. Darkness will always support darkness ... In their heart is a disease ...

joyandfaith:
The irony is that Muslims would choose China over US. And china does not tolerate islam. Confused people.

The irony is Christians will hail China action against Muslims which will be extended to Christians just like they foolishly support Israel despite its apparent maltreatment of Arab Christians.

vedaxcool:


The irony is Christians will hail China action against Muslims which will be extended to Christians just like they foolishly support Israel despite its apparent maltreatment of Arab Christians.

You are wrong!!! No Christians would hail China for anything because presently there is persecution of Christians in China. I am amazed that Muslims will keep on supporting China against US.
In Israel, there is freedom of religion but Islamic world detests other religion.
Even Muslims hate themselves with passion since death of Muhammed-shia v sunni crisis.
I learnt that shia mosques are being bombed by fellow Muslims in Afghanistan.
Islam should allow freedom of religion in all Islamic nations. They should allow churches to be built in saudi especially in mecca and medina.
They should allow muslms to convert to other religions without fatwa being issued.

[s]

joyandfaith:

You are wrong!!! No Christians would hail China for anything because presently there is persecution of Christians in China. I am amazed that Muslims will keep on supporting China against US.
In Israel, there is freedom of religion but Islamic world detests other religion.
Even Muslims hate themselves with passion since death of Muhammed-shia v sunni crisis.
I learnt that shia mosques are being bombed by fellow Muslims in Afghanistan.
Islam should allow freedom of religion in all Islamic nations. They should allow churches to be built in saudi especially in mecca and medina.
They should allow muslms to convert to other religions without fatwa being issued.

[/s]

I detest liars! In this same thread Christians are already jumping like puppies because if the news and you are here deluding yourself!

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

I detest liars! In this same thread Christians are already jumping like puppies because if the news and you are here deluding yourself!

Point out the lies in her submission or shut your assmouth forever.

[s]

Vado:


Point out the lies in her submission or shut your assmouth forever.

[/s]

I did not ask you how your family communicates during dinner!

Quitam:
If they like let them go around and collect all the hard copies in circulation. The Quran is already in the hearts of many, firmly memorised. The USSR tried suppressing religion but it didn't stop them from propagating

That's the main reason they call it cancer and poison....!!!