The China Islamic Scripture College celebrated its 50th founding anniversary here Monday.

It is the first national religious college established after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

For half a century, the college contributed to China's Islamic services, ensured the smooth development of China's Islamic community, and promoted national unity and the country's unification, Liu Yandong, vice-chairwoman of National Committee ofthe Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said at theceremony.

Chen Guangyuan, president of the Islamic Association of China, said the college shoulders the task of cultivating China's religious staff and its development is also linked to the future of China's Islamic community.

To enable Muslims in China have more development opportunities in the process of building a harmonious society is an important task for China's Islamic community and the college, said Chen, also president of the China Islamic Scripture College.

1,064 Muslim students of various ethnic minorities have graduated from the college since its founding in 1955. New courses,including English, computer science, writing, translation, make the Muslim students more versatile, sources with the college said.

Seminars and other celebrations were also held for the 50th anniversary, the college said.