Authorities in China’s restive northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim officials and students from fasting during Ramadhan, prompting an exiled rights group to warn of new violence. Guidance posted on numerous government websites called on Communist Party leaders to restrict Muslim religious activities during the holy month, including fasting and visiting mosques. Xinjiang is home to around nine million Uighurs, a Turkic speaking, largely Muslim ethnic minority, many of whom accuse China’s leaders of religious and political persecution. The region has been rocked by repeated outbreaks of ethnic violence.
A statement from Zonglang township in Xinjiang’s Kashgar district said: “It is forbidden for Communist Party cadres, civil officials (including those who have retired) and students to participate in Ramadhan religious activities.” Similar orders on curbing Ramadhan activities were posted on local government websites, with the educational bureau of Wensu county urging schools to ensure that students do not enter mosques during Ramadhan.
An exiled rights group, the World Uyghur Congress, warned the policy would force “the Uighur people to resist (Chinese rule) even further.” “By banning fasting during Ramadhan, China is using administrative methods to force the Uighur people to eat in an effort to break the fasting,” said group spokesman Dilshat Rexit in a statement.