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Ex-Official's Double Life: Enforcer Turned Muslim Advocate

2/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ma Ruilin, a former Communist Party official, enforced policies targeting Muslims by day and secretly prayed at a mosque by night, disguising himself with a motorcycle helmet to evade surveillance.
He helped design China's surveillance systems.
He struggled to reconcile his Hui Muslim identity amid government crackdowns on Islam.
Now 50 and living in New York, he aims to share his story despite potential risks to himself and his family.

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Story summary

Ma Ruilin, a former Communist Party official, enforced policies targeting Muslims by day and secretly prayed at a mosque by night, disguising himself with a motorcycle helmet to evade surveillance.
He helped design China's surveillance systems.
He struggled to reconcile his Hui Muslim identity amid government crackdowns on Islam.
Now 50 and living in New York, he aims to share his story despite potential risks to himself and his family.