China restricts Ramazan fasting in Xinjiang
China's ruling Communist party is officially atheist, and for years has restricted fasting in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority.
Xinjiang sees regular and often deadly clashes between Uighurs and state security forces, and Beijing has blamed recent deadly attacks elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region.
Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions placed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia.
Several government departments posted notices on their websites in recent days banning fasting during Ramazan, which began this weekend. During the holy month, the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious.
The commercial affairs bureau of Turfan city said on its website Monday that "civil servants and students cannot take part in fasting and other religious activities".
The state-run Bozhou Radio and TV university said on its website that it would "enforce the ban on party members, teachers, and young people from taking part in Ramazan activities".
"We remind everyone that they are not permitted to observe a Ramazan fast," it added.
A weather bureau in Qaraqash county in western Xinjiang said on its website that "in accordance with instructions from higher authorities", it "calls on all current and retired staff not to fast during Ramazan".
A state office which manages the Tarim River basin posted pictures of its staff wearing traditional Uighur "doppa" caps tucking into a group meal on Saturday.
"Although the meal coincided with the Muslim festival of Ramazan, the cadres who took part expressed a positive attitude and will lead the non-fasting," it said.
China has in the past said that restrictions on fasting are meant to ensure the health of government employees.
Dilxat Raxit, a spokesperson for the exiled World Uyghur Congress, cited local sources as saying that authorities encouraged Uighurs to eat free meals on Monday, and inspected homes to check if the fast was being observed.
"China taking these kind of coercive measures, restricting the faith of Uighurs, will create more conflict," he said.
"We call on China to ensure religious freedom for Uighurs and stop political repression of Ramazan."
COMMENTS (79)
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@Abhinav: Another master of conspiracy theories. ha ha ha
@Muhammad Rizwan Ali: "I still say, the news not correct, I am living in China with millions of Muslim ,but never heard any complain like this, this is wrong propaganda against China and Pakistan friendship." pls dont try to tell me that a major website like ET is publishing totally false news! also, which city in China r u living in?? this ban is in d muslim dominated area of Xinjiang. so if u went 2 a main city in china u mightnt notice it.
It become the reason for China to know Islam in future . Allah knows best...and Allah help them.Inshalla.
How did Pakistanis react when France banned burqa / islamic head wear? How are Pakistanis reacting when China restricts Ramzan fasting? How do Pakistanis react when there is religious violence in India or West? How do Pakistani react when religious minorities are persecuted in Pakistan? How do Pakistanis react when Afghan Talibans establish Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan? How do Pakistanis react when Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan demands Sharia rule in Pakistan?
National interest is understandable but compromising on values is beyond comprehension.
@Dr.Shafique: You sound very rough and rude but may be the truth has to be said and you have done it. Yes this is true. Any one believe that China is ever going to leave Gadavar port. Thinkk aggain.
This is all Indian conspiracy to have a bad feeling about china for Pakistanis. Dont believe the news story.
For those who wanted to know this can be one of the several reasons why china perform worse than india on "fragile nations index". There are thousands of tibetan refugees in india's himachal pradesh and other himalayan states for years. But it is another thing that india is not demanding foreign aid on their name.
@globalobserver: So that gives you the right to wage wars in this region? Really? You are stuck with your 5000 old history? Well, good for you..
@Musthaque Ahmed: Relax Sir gee. This is how it has always been. The world doest respond to your killings in Kashmir, Punjab and Assam simply because they want to do business with you. Same applies to what ever US did in Iraq, Syria, Ukraine etc etc.. Call us by names but do have the guts to look around..
This is what it takes for Pakistanis to realize that China is actually a bully. They're troubling Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Honk Kong. We consider them friends. They're only friends for as long as they can use Pakistan to get what they really want.
Pakistan also needs to look for it's benefits. We take our friendship with China so seriously that we sometimes close ourselves from the rest of the world. I'm afraid we're too dependent on China. Pakistan needs to be on it's own feet.
We have quite a few Chinese engineers in the Gulf, and I get to meet them at the professional level. Asked what Chinese think of Pakistani friends, one Chinese engineer thought they were "useful idiots" because they serve China's long-term interests in South Asia. The Uigurs are seen as fanatic Muslims who are a potential threat to the Chinese nation; and the majority of the Chinese believe that Pakistan trains them and gives them arms, through the terrorist network set on its soil, to create security problems for China. It is not surprising, therefore, that China bans fasting during Ramzan. The Chinese will, gradually, start dictating their terms on Pakistan because the latter has become so dependent on aid and is unable to do anything without foreign alms. So do you think that the so-called "all weather friend" really cares for Pakistan? The answer should be obvious. How long can we stretch our hands to keep begging from our foreign masters?!! There is not a single nation in the world that respects us. Even tiny Sri Lanka snubbed us recently with its order to stop Pakistanis from entering the country without proper visas.
I don't think people should overreact to this.
How can anyone impose a ban on fasting?
Is the Chinese government going to go door to door and force feed the Muslims who are fasting?
What China has done is neither humane nor is it practicable.
Sounds more like a propaganda to scare the Muslims.
How come Pakistan is the only country, which is defender of Muslim faith. Why other Muslim countries are not protesting. When there is question of running a countries on certain principles or ideology Chines have no religion or friends. Don't be surprised when China can stab Pakistan on the back. History is there to witness of Chinese actions.
@globalobserver: India is because of the River Indus not the other way around, please.
@goldconsumer:
"We will not Protest against China be it what ever just like the west does not and did not protest to whatever happend in Kashmir, Aasaam, Indian controlled Punjab etc."
While Kashmir, Assam, Punjab etc. and even Pakistan have been part of ancient Hindu land for over five thousand years, China doesn't have such historical and ancient connection on Xinjiang.
@Intellectual.Pseudo: "What nonsense by the Chinese government. Where is religious freedom?"
Why no one asks this same question to the Government and people of Pakistan when thousands in minority are being killed. There are thousands of Pakistani shias, ahmedias, sufis, christians and hindus who have taken asylum in Shri Lanka, India, Canada and other countries. Why Shias are not even allowed to have Musjids to worship? Why is it that on this discussion board people are so worried about brother Muslims in China and not about brother Muslims in Pakistan?
Xinjiang is a Chinese colonial term for Eastern Turkestan. China occupied it as the Turkish Ottoman rule was collapsing in Central Asia as a result of the Russo-Turkish wars in the 18th and most notable in the Nineteenth Century. The Uyghurs, who are a majority here, are a Turkic people who like the Central Asians, for example of Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan, speak a Turkic language. The breakup of Soviet Union 1990-1991 led to Central Asia republic's independence. On the other hand, China continues to occupy Eastern Turkestan. Moreover, China being a strong, autocratic country does not allow freedom of religion and suppresses dissent with an iron hand. Thus the people here suffer like the Tibetans. There should be an international movement to press China to treat their minorities such that they enjoy freedom and human rights.
Look the above comments. .wonder what made my brothers to lay calm to the chinese masters. Instead of anslyzing this gross injustice they simply comments on Indian leaders.Many does not even accept the fact.As its mentioned clearly the issue is in xinjiang province many tries to negate and shw nothing hapends there by telling tht they live inside China.See the no of comments Not even one condemned the way it shd be exercised..No rallies nothing inside Pakistan the land of pure ..Now I understand the hollowness when they make hullaballo whn something comes is India.. I can only say a modest word.."Pity on your psudo anger andrage" Its proved beyoond doubt only issue matters to thm is of thier Indian brothers and nothing more.
@umer sb
its not Pakistan, it xingjiang a state of China. A pakistani's life might not be important for our authorities but if these Uighurs get to bomb the markets and attack innocent passengers at the train stations as they recently did and have done it many times before as well, Chinese authorities make sure Uighur get to pay for it
Why not burn some tires, bust some offices and buildings, torch some vehicles, raise chaos in the streets, jam the traffic and name it as 'protest' against the dearest friend China? Why not?What If it was an European country?
Calling Hamid Gul and Hafiz Saeed? You are badly needed for another mission.
To all Indians.. We will not Protest against China be it what ever just like the west does not and did not protest to whatever happend in Kashmir, Aasaam, Indian controlled Punjab etc. This is not hypocrisy but the lesson being taught to us is "all that matters is your interests". Period..
Why Pakistanis are getting defensive. Everyone is trying to show that it is not there real case. Reality is somewhat else. While the order is from Chineese Govt. On the other hand if Modi or RSS have not done many things in past, nobody is trying to find real fact, instead they keep spreading rumors.
@AK: That the Chinese have restricted the Uyghurs has nothing to do with Pak-China relations. Any connection in this regard is pure nonsense.
Some people are needlessly bringing Pakistan into question. It is not the Pakistanis that are subject to restrictions in China it is the Uyghurs. Needless to say that this a question of protecting a universally recognized freedom and wheresoever it is violated it must be condemned and the international community must make sure that it is fully protected.
@sabs.zoya@gmail.com: Freedom of religion has nothing to do with national identity or religion. All countries must ensure it, period.
Why no protests against China in Pakistan? What has happened to the conscience of the great mullahs of Pakistan who don't waste a minute criticizing west where by the way 95% of Pakistanis want to go and settle down. Pakistanis love China where Islam is not allowed to be practiced by its adherents and America where Muslims can freely practice their religion is considered enemy of Pakistan.
Pakistani readers, before you get mindlessly brainwashed and emotional about the news, read who has published it, AFP Associated Foreign Press which could be misinforming you.
@flabbergasted:
Are u a pakistani ????
does your own country allow religious freedom ?>???? no wonder so many are trying to flee pakistan
@Intellectual.Pseudo:
where is religious freedom in pakistan ????
what goes around comes around .
China is into massive LandGrab mode. Uighur's religion and their demand for independence just ticked Shanghai to jam Main Chinese race into Uighur's populated areas(the main reason of flash point now)incase they seperate in Future then China can make a case to attack to protect their "Chinese" race there. Neutralizing their religion by prohibiting main pillars of their belief(in the name of "health") is another tactic.
I still say, the news not correct, I am living in China with millions of Muslim ,but never heard any complain like this, this is wrong propaganda against China and Pakistan friendship. The Pakistani comments on this issue, must think about this....
@Rakib: But then he was doing this every year as Gujarat Chief Minister. unfortunately you guys have no clue how India works.
Since Nawaz Sharif has protested this in the strongest terms, we have shown that we've got a fair bit of moral fiber, and are a geopolitical force to be reckoned with in the region. Though, let's be serious: Sharif bhai didn't have to. Pakistan should be concerned with its own citizens, i.e., its own Muslims, and not those living in other countries, unless the other country is India, in which case we should be extremely concerned, and stuff.
China needs to learn that freedom of religion is a universal value and no country can ignore it.
@Usman Aziz:
"it is result of so called Muslim Armed struggles by terrorist groups in the name of Islam..."
If so, you agree it is also the same thing in Kashmir? Or, do you have double standards?
If USA or any Western country did this Pakistani's would take to the streets - once again we see that religious righteousness is just a cover for anti Western bias.
@Rakib - "India does soften up even the hardest hardliners"
Only Hindu hardliners... The Muslim hardliners like Asaduddin Owaisi or another stray Muslim leader from UP's Samajwadi party continue to spew hatred against Hindus.
The Chinese do not believe in non-conformance and their attempts to integrate the Uighurs and use of suppressive methods led to Uyghur’s resistance. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch believe that Uyghur resentment towards repression of Uyghur culture by China might have caused some of the ethnic riots that have occurred in Xinjiang during the current Chinese rule. China is Westernizing to some extent but needs to also learn that freedom of religion is a universal value and no country can ignore it without adverse consequences.
Pakistanis should follow the path shown by it all weather friend ? This is the only way out to save Pakistan and contain extremism.
who is better when compared between Narendra Modi or Xi Jinping?
If it was done by a western country there would have been riots and flag burning by foaming mouth bearded defenders of faith. Where is your outrage now ? Shame on Pakistan and Jamat-e-Islami. Make no mistake your relationships with china is that of slave and its owner.
Next thing will be Uighur's genocide and we Muslims will silently watch. No wonder their is a strong Caliphate rising by the Euphrates to exactly tackle such issues. We are just a pseudo Muslim country who can't even help his brothers in distress. We should Atleast purge our extended Islamic name & declare our allegiance, in Greek maybe. I mean why fool others with wrong flag and get penalized when you're not really a saviour for your kind.
(Contrast this to how Modi, the alleged anti Muslim has greeted the nation) @ModiFied
Not to pettifog....but, Amit Shah has guided the PM well. Now that Modi needs BJP to rule UP, and he is MP from Benares & not Baroda, he jolly well learn "appeasement" & "pseudo-secularism" & "muslim vote-bank" politics. By next year he will be wearing skull-cap & attending vegetarian iftar parties-Vajpayee style! Good. Worth appreciating. India does soften up even the hardest hardliners.
Chinese Muslims should protest by going on Hunger strikes.
shame on u china.
This is what our friends good will is for us. We never think its a waste to spend time boasting about sharing a cardial relationship with our neighbour China and they're again pointing at us a terrorist.
Contrast this to how Modi, the alleged anti Muslim has greeted the nation;
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/modi-greets-nation-on-ramadan-114063000580_1.html
@Intellectual.Pseudo:
Indeed, where is it in any Muslim country. At least they are learning from us.
we will not allow u chinese. Why Our govt is still silent????
@Ali:
Much less than whhat Taliban had been doing yet noora league saw no justification in taking action against Taliban.
Also Kashmiris and Palestinians killed a lot of people too so I guess no need to talk of their rights too.
Political correctness gone mad .
surely ,common sense .@AK:
Perhaps this storyline should also include what problems have these Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang have been creating for the last 15 years..
Since all weather friend involved in muslims oppression so muslim brotherhood feelings can be relaxed happy fasting ;)
Can you imagine the reaction from the fundamentalists if a western country had even considered imposing such a ban?
Hypocrites.
Anything for our baradar and all wather frand
"Effective immediately, there is a ban on wearing swimsuits on beaches. Random checking enforced."
Nobody in non-Muslim world would like this of course. If someone has the freedom to be almost naked on his/her personal judgement, another one should have the freedom to eat and drink at specific times on judgement of the Supreme Authority.
no criticisms from Pakistanis.
Will somebody please enlighten my soul that how can Govt make them to eat or drink when they don't want?
Now let us invite all burqua supporters to rant. 0,1,2,3... get ready,,,, Start... Goooooooo
The news is bot complete and right, I am Pakistani living in China, there is no restriction for fasting for Muslim in any part of China, the news miss quoted...
Higher than mountains, lower than the lowest...
... not a peep out of the Pakistanis.
Pathetic !
So much for the human rights and religious freedom! How stupid of you China.
hahahaha best friend of pakistan.
Very Well China.
china is planning railway link to pakistan and obviously pakistan leaders wont utter a word against china . Hypocrisy of pakistan is so great.
it is result of so called Muslim Armed struggles by terrorist groups in the name of Islam, very sad though to restrain a Muslim to observe fasting as it is 'Farz" obligatory in Islam
See how your best friend treats your cousins. On who's side do you stand ? Something to ponder about. Zaid Hamid, Hafiz Saeed, where are you !!!!!!
What nonsense by the Chinese government. Where is religious freedom?
What is wrong with them?
God forbid if this had happened in a western country we would have had riots by now but since it is china well calm prevails.
Why ?????? It should not be my dear friend China...