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‘Prayer halls’ spread in China’s international airports

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A ‘prayer hall’, described as a “spiritual oasis”, opened recently in the busiest international airport in Shenzhen, a free trade area in the south of mainland China – the latest of several such facilities established in the country’s international airports.

Measuring about 30 square metres in size, the simply decorated chapel contains benches and copies of the Bible with passengers invited to spend a moment of prayer or meditation.

Local media have reportedly described the opening of the ‘prayer hall’ as a “sign of recognition of the Christian culture, of respect for international guests, facilitating their moral and spiritual needs”, noting that “[b]eing a city with a large influx of foreigners, the initiative also helps to understand the Christian culture and promote evangelisation”.

The Shenzhen airport initiative is the latest of several prayer halls established for Christians, Muslims and believers of various religions in international airports across China. Others can be found at airports in Beijing, Chengdu, Xian, Kunming and Ordos in Inner Mongolia.

Chinese Christians have reportedly expressed their appreciation for the initiative, with some seeing it as “an opportunity to promote faith”.

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