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China bans Urumqi mosque prayers China bans Urumqi mosque prayers
(about 2 hours 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 died, with more than 1,000 hurt.
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.
Meanwhile, many thousands of people - both Han Chinese and Uighur - are reported to be leaving the city.
An official at the main bus station told the AFP news agency some 10,000 people had left via the station since the weekend's violence - double the normal traffic.
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.
Many mosques have been closed since the fighting broke out on Sunday. 'Patriotic move'
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. Thousands of Uighurs in Urumqi had been expected at Friday prayers, the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in the city says.
"For the sake of public safety, all of the mosques have told people that there will be no Friday prayers and that people should stay at home today and pray," she said. But officials posted notices outside Urumqi's mosques, instructing people to stay at home and worship there.
The government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces Tursun, UighurThe government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces Tursun, Uighur
A Uighur man outside the Hantagri mosque said he had heard that prayers had been banned but there was "nothing we can do". "For the sake of public safety, all of the mosques have told people that there will be no Friday prayers and that people should stay at home today and pray," one unnamed government official told the Associated Press.
Many mosques have been closed since the fighting broke out on Sunday. Friday is the holiest day of the week in Islam.
A Uighur man outside the Hantagri mosque told AFP news agency there was "nothing we can do" about the banning of Friday prayers in mosques.
"The government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces," said the man, identified as Tursun."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 "three forces" is a term used by the Chinese government for separatists, terrorists and extremists.
However, an ethnic Han woman in Urumqi said it was obvious that the mosques had to remain closed.However, an ethnic Han woman in Urumqi said it was obvious that the mosques had to remain closed.
"Just look at all the damage that has been done. This is a patriotic move for the sake of the well-being of all the ethnic groups," she said. "Just look at all the damage that has been done. This is a patriotic move for the sake of the well-being of all the ethnic groups," she was quoted as saying by Associated Press.
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. Our correspondent 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.
XINJIANG: ETHNIC UNREST Main ethnic division: 45% Uighur, 40% Han Chinese26 June: Mass factory brawl after dispute between Han Chinese and Uighurs in Guangdong, southern China, leaves two Uighurs dead5 July: Uighur protest in Urumqi over the dispute turns violent, leaving 156 dead - most of them thought to be Han - and more than 1,000 hurt7 July: Uighur women protest at arrests of menfolk. Han Chinese make armed counter-march8 July: President Hu Jintao returns from G8 summit to tackle crisis New media openness Q&A: China and the Uighurs Taboo of ethnic tensions Profile: Rebiya KadeerXINJIANG: ETHNIC UNREST Main ethnic division: 45% Uighur, 40% Han Chinese26 June: Mass factory brawl after dispute between Han Chinese and Uighurs in Guangdong, southern China, leaves two Uighurs dead5 July: Uighur protest in Urumqi over the dispute turns violent, leaving 156 dead - most of them thought to be Han - and more than 1,000 hurt7 July: Uighur women protest at arrests of menfolk. Han Chinese make armed counter-march8 July: President Hu Jintao returns from G8 summit to tackle crisis New media openness Q&A: China and the Uighurs Taboo of ethnic tensions Profile: Rebiya Kadeer
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. They say security forces overreacted to peaceful protests. Ethnic Han vigilante groups have been threatening to take revenge, leaving many Uighurs afraid to leave their homes.
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.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. More than 1,400 people are thought to have been detained.
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".
Beijing has also accused US-based Uighur leader-in-exile Rebiya Kadeer of organising the disorder. She has denied the allegations.Beijing has also accused US-based Uighur leader-in-exile Rebiya Kadeer of organising the disorder. She has denied the allegations.
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.