Nine million Uighurs, an Islamic minority community which lives in China's Xinjiang region, are celebrating Ramadan. The Islamic faith directs its followers to fast and attend mosque during this holy month. Now the ruling Communist Party is trying to interfere with these peaceful religious activities. Islamic government employees and students in Xinjiang have been forbidden to fast. Some official notices posted by the Chinese government even urge Communists to undermine the Uighurs' faith by bringing gifts of food to those who are fasting.
It's not the first time Uighurs have complained of religious persecution from China's government, according to the Hindustan Times. A police raid on a Uighur school in June resulted in injury to 12 children. Amnesty International has also cited China for abuses of the Uighur minority. The World Uyghur Congress has condemned the fasting prohibition as coercive and likely to incite more unrest in a region that has been plagued with violence.
Tell China to let Uighur Muslims practice their faith without restrictions!
We the undersigned deplore your ban on religious fasting in the Xinjiang region.
This measure is clearly targeted at the Uighurs, a religious and ethnic minority. The Uighurs practice the Islamic religion which requires them to fast and attend mosque during Ramadan. To prevent students and government employees from fasting is a form of religious persecution.
Respect the Uighurs and allow them to practice their faith in peace!
