CHINA RESTRICTS RAMADAN FASTING IN XINJIANG

Beijing, 5 Ramadan 1435/3 July 2014 (MINA) – China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from taking part in Ramadan fasting, government websites said, Wednesday (2/7).

China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist, and for years has restricted fasting in Xinjiang. Chanel News Asia quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Several government departments posted notices on their websites in recent days banning fasting during Ramadan, which began this weekend.

The commercial affairs bureau of Turfan city said on its website Monday that “civil servants and students cannot take part in fasting and other religious activities”.

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A weather bureau in Qaraqash county in western Xinjiang said on its website that “in accordance with instructions from higher authorities”, it “calls on all current and retired staff not to fast during Ramadan”.

China has in the past said that restrictions on fasting are meant to ensure the health of government employees.

Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the exiled World Uyghur Congress, cited local sources as saying that authorities encouraged Uighurs to eat free meals on Monday, and inspected homes to check if the fast was being observed.

“China taking these kind of coercive measures, restricting the faith of Uighurs, will create more conflict,” he said.

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“We call on China to ensure religious freedom for Uighurs and stop political repression of Ramadan.”(T/Nidiya /P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)