An example for others

As early as middle of the 17th century, religious schools for female Muslims had been set up around China.

These later grew into women-only mosques run by female imams during late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

However, as religious practices were banned during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), these mosques were shut down. As public religious expression returned to China in the 1980s, female imams reappeared too.

"At that time, female imams only taught women how to pray and offered religious services at weddings and funerals. They didn't give lessons on Arabic and Islamic culture, or the Koran," Wang Jinyu told the Global Times.

Since the 1990s, and especially over the last 10 years, Muslim women's roles in their community have broadened, meaning that female imams can begin to play an increasing role in religious life.

The distinctive tradition of female imams has been around for centuries in China and is gaining momentum. The growth of the number of female imams has been seen by some as an indication that position of women in Muslim communities is improving.

The presence of female imams in China has a significant demonstrative meaning for observers in other Muslim communities, especially those in which women are subject to repressive restrictions, said Xiong Bingqi, a noted cultural critic. But it's not an easy road for other communities to follow, he added.

"First, the consciousness of the whole religious group must change, especially the consciousness of female believers. Then, the right of women to be educated shall be guaranteed," he told the Global Times.

If women are better educated, they will know how to fight for, and protect, their rights and interests, he said.