Unlike millions of Muslims around the world, Uighur students returning for summer vacations in north-western China are banned from fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan. Chinese authorities have reportedly imposed restrictions on Uighur Muslim students returning for summer vacations in the north-western region of Xinjiang ahead of Ramadhan. Under the restrictions, Uighur students under 18 are banned from fasting during Ramadhan or taking part in religious activities. Students defying the restrictions are being reported to authorities for punishment.
“They are extracting guarantees from parents, promising that their children won’t fast on Ramadhan,” Dilxat Raxit, Sweden-based spokesman for the exile World Uighur Congress (WUC), said on 13 June. “They have also made groups of 10 households responsible for spying on each other, so that if a single child from one family fasts for Ramadhan, or takes part in religious activities, then all 10 families will be fined,” Raxit said. “It’s called a 10-household guarantee system.”