Since the end of the Olympic Games in late August, the Chinese government’s crackdown on Uighurs with alleged separatist ties has escalated, according to Alim Seytoff, general secretary of the Uighur American Association, based in Washington, D.C. Following a spate of political violence, security has been so tight that a 25-year-old Muslim jade dealer agreed to talk to a reporter only if they met 20 miles outside this historic Silk Road town in remote northwestern China. Dam backers now behind removal for salmon 11.14.08
“I wanted to study teachings like the Hadith,” said the man who identified himself only as Hussein, referring to a collection of the prophet Muhammad’s sayings. “I’m too old now. It makes me sad.” As children, Hussein and millions of other young Uighurs never attended the religious schools or prayed at mosques because of a government ban on Islamic education for those under 18. Since Hussein never learned about religious laws governing marriage and family, he feels unprepared to have children, and he wonders whether future generations will be able to practise their faith before adulthood. “Maybe in 10 years, there will be no more religion in Xinjiang”, said Hussein.