China restricts Ramadan fasting in Xinjiang
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 July 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, China restricts Ramadan fasting in Xinjiang, 2 July 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce3049f.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 02, 2014
Students and civil servants in China's far western region of Xinjiang have been ordered not to take part in fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Statements posted on July 2 on websites of schools and government agencies say the ban aims at protecting students' wellbeing and preventing the promotion of religion in schools and government offices.
Statements on the websites of local Communist Party organizations said members of the officially atheist party also should not fast.
China's ruling party has for years restricted fasting in Xinjiang, home to the Uyghur ethnic Muslim minority.
The move comes amid tightened security in the region which has recently been hit by a number of bomb blasts and other attacks.
Many ethnic Uyghurs are unhappy with Chinese rule and say they are being repressed by ethnic Chinese.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
