This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8143554.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
China bans Urumqi mosque prayers Some mosques defy order to shut
(about 2 hours later)
China ordered mosques not to open for Friday prayers in the western city of Urumqi, which has been hit by several days of ethnic violence. Some mosques in the western Chinese city of Urumqi have opened their doors to worshippers, in spite of an earlier order for them to stay closed.
Public notices were put on gates of mosques across the city, although at least one mosque did open for prayers at the request of worshippers. At least two mosques opened after crowds gathered outside. It was not immediately clear if the authorities had sanctioned the move.
Thousands of troops remain in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, to try to maintain order. Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang region, remains tense after days of ethnic violence that left 156 people dead.
Thousands of people are reportedly trying to leave the city.Thousands of people are reportedly trying to leave the city.
An official at the main bus station told the AFP news agency some 10,000 people - both Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs - had left via the station since the weekend's violence, double the normal traffic. The main bus station has seen 10,000 people go through its doors in recent days - double its normal traffic - an official there said.
Some 156 people have died and more than 1,000 injured in the violence that began on Sunday. Both Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs are said to be fleeing the city, which still has a heavy security presence following the violence that began on Sunday.
Crowds gatherCrowds gather
Officials posted notices outside Urumqi's mosques, instructing people to stay at home to worship on Friday. Officials posted notices outside Urumqi's mosques, instructing people to stay at home to worship on Friday, the holiest day of the week in Islam.
The government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces Tursun, Uighur I'm glad they are letting us in today. There would have been a lot of unhappiness if they hadn't Ahmedadji Muslim Uighur worshipper
But at least one mosque in a Uighur neighbourhood opened its doors, after crowds of worshippers gathered outside. One official told the Associated Press the decision was made "for the sake of public safety".
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville said the mosque was opened without any violence and people were allowed to go in and celebrate Friday prayers. But hundreds of Uighurs defied the order and gathered outside at least two mosques in the city.
However, other mosques in the city remain closed on what is the holiest day of the week in Islam. The BBC's Quentin Sommerville, outside one of the mosques, was told by one worshipper that they had insisted they be allowed in - and the gates were opened without any resistance or violence.
'Al-Qaeda links' "We decided to open the mosque because so many people had gathered. We did not want an incident," a policeman outside the White Mosque in a Uighur neighbourhood told the Associated Press.
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. "I'm glad they are letting us in today," one worshipper, Ahmedadji, was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.
"There would have been a lot of unhappiness if they hadn't".
'Too risky'
Meanwhile, the city's main bus station is reported to be heaving with people trying to escape the unrest.
Extra bus services have been laid on and touts are charging up to five times the normal face price for tickets, the AFP reports.
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
"It is just too risky to stay here. We are scared of the violence," a 23-year-old construction worker from central China said.
Many are university students, who have been told to leave the city earlier than they might have planned.
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.
Officials say 156 people - mostly Han - died in Sunday's violence.Officials say 156 people - mostly Han - died in Sunday's violence.
Ethnic Han vigilante groups have been threatening to take revenge, leaving many Uighurs afraid to leave their homes.Ethnic Han vigilante groups have been threatening to take revenge, leaving many Uighurs afraid to leave their homes.
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 the city and armed police surrounding Uighur neighbourhoods, says our correspondent.
More than 1,400 people are thought to have been detained.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.
Are you leaving Urumqi? What has been your experience of the unrest in the city in recent days? Please send us your comments using the form below:Are you leaving Urumqi? What has been your experience of the unrest in the city in recent days? Please send us your comments using the form below:
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions