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China bans Urumqi mosque prayers China bans Urumqi mosque prayers
(10 minutes later)
China has ordered mosques in its restive western city of Urumqi not to open for Friday prayers.China has ordered mosques in its restive western city of Urumqi not to open for Friday prayers.
The order comes after several days of ethnic violence between Uighur Muslims and Han Chinese. At least 156 people have been killed so far.The order comes after several days of ethnic violence between Uighur Muslims and Han Chinese. At least 156 people have been killed so far.
Thousands of troops remain in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, to try to maintain order.Thousands of troops remain in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, to try to maintain order.
The Chinese authorities have vowed to administer "severe punishment" to those involved in the riots.The Chinese authorities have vowed to administer "severe punishment" to those involved in the riots.
An unnamed government official told the Associated Press news agency that people in Xinjiang should "stay at home and pray", rather than gathering in mosques. Many mosques have been closed since the fighting broke out on Sunday.
The official said the order had been given on public safety ground. An unnamed government official told the AFP news agency that the order not to open for prayers on Friday, the holiest day of the week in Islam, was given on public safety ground.
The official said people should "stay at home and pray", rather than gathering in mosques.
A Uighur man outside the Hantagri mosque in Urumqi said he had heard that prayers had been banned but there was "nothing we can do".
"The government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces," said the man, identified as Tursun.
The "three forces" is a term used by the Chinese government for separatists, terrorists and extremists.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Urumqi says the government has clearly decided it is better to risk upsetting Muslims in Xinjiang by banning prayers than to allow tens of thousands of people to gather at mosques.
'Al-Qaeda links''Al-Qaeda links'
The violence began on Sunday when Uighurs rallied to protest against a deadly brawl between Uighurs and Han several weeks ago in a toy factory in southern Guangdong province.The violence began on Sunday when Uighurs rallied to protest against a deadly brawl between Uighurs and Han several weeks ago in a toy factory in southern Guangdong province.
Security has been high in the city since the recent unrestSecurity has been high in the city since the recent unrest
Officials say 156 people - mostly Han - died in Sunday's violence.Officials say 156 people - mostly Han - died in Sunday's violence.
Uighur groups say many more have died, claiming 90% of the dead were Uighurs. Uighur groups say many more have died, claiming 90% of the dead were Uighurs. They say security forces overreacted to peaceful protests.
More than 1,400 people are thought to have been detained.More than 1,400 people are thought to have been detained.
The atmosphere remains tense, with troops in place across city and armed police surrounding Uighur neighbourhoods, says our correspondent.
Ethnic Han vigilante groups have been threatening to take revenge, leaving many Uighurs afraid to leave their homes, he adds.
On Thursday, China said it had "a great deal of evidence" that some of those involved in the violence had "training from foreign terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda".On Thursday, China said it had "a great deal of evidence" that some of those involved in the violence had "training from foreign terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda".
Foreign ministry official Qin Gang did not say what the evidence was, but said the groups were "inextricably linked with three vicious forces from abroad".Foreign ministry official Qin Gang did not say what the evidence was, but said the groups were "inextricably linked with three vicious forces from abroad".
Tensions have been growing in Xinjiang for many years, as Han migrants have poured into the region, where the Uighur minority is concentrated.Tensions have been growing in Xinjiang for many years, as Han migrants have poured into the region, where the Uighur minority is concentrated.
Many Uighurs feel economic growth has bypassed them and complain of discrimination and diminished opportunities.Many Uighurs feel economic growth has bypassed them and complain of discrimination and diminished opportunities.