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China Xinjiang: Muslim students 'made to eat' at Ramadan | China Xinjiang: Muslim students 'made to eat' at Ramadan |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Several university students from China's western region of Xinjiang have told the BBC that they are being banned from fasting during the month of Ramadan. | Several university students from China's western region of Xinjiang have told the BBC that they are being banned from fasting during the month of Ramadan. |
The three Muslim students we spoke to the BBC did not want their identities revealed as they fear government reprisals for speaking about a sensitive issue. | |
But they told us they were being forced to have meals with professors to ensure they were not fasting. | But they told us they were being forced to have meals with professors to ensure they were not fasting. |
Those who refuse to eat risk being punished by officials. | Those who refuse to eat risk being punished by officials. |
One student told us, "If you want a normal life here then you'd better not fast." | One student told us, "If you want a normal life here then you'd better not fast." |
Xinjiang is home to the Uighur ethnic minority - most of whom are Muslim. | Xinjiang is home to the Uighur ethnic minority - most of whom are Muslim. |
Beijing blames a string of recent attacks on Muslim extremists and what it calls overseas terrorist groups. | Beijing blames a string of recent attacks on Muslim extremists and what it calls overseas terrorist groups. |
On Thursday, courts in Xinjiang handed 32 people prison terms for downloading or sending "violent terror" videos. | On Thursday, courts in Xinjiang handed 32 people prison terms for downloading or sending "violent terror" videos. |
Many Uighurs, however, say the violence is being fuelled by Beijing's repression of their cultural and religious beliefs. | Many Uighurs, however, say the violence is being fuelled by Beijing's repression of their cultural and religious beliefs. |
The students who spoke to the BBC said that fasting was banned in all universities across the region. | The students who spoke to the BBC said that fasting was banned in all universities across the region. |
Several government departments are also enforcing a ban. | Several government departments are also enforcing a ban. |
One government hospital even got Muslim staff to sign a written pledge promising not to fast. | One government hospital even got Muslim staff to sign a written pledge promising not to fast. |
Fasting during the month of Ramadan - when the faithful do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset - is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. | Fasting during the month of Ramadan - when the faithful do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset - is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. |
Traditionally, children, pregnant women, the sick and those travelling are exempt from fasting. | Traditionally, children, pregnant women, the sick and those travelling are exempt from fasting. |
As part of a propaganda drive, state-run newspapers in Xinjiang have been running editorials warning about the health dangers of not eating and drinking. | As part of a propaganda drive, state-run newspapers in Xinjiang have been running editorials warning about the health dangers of not eating and drinking. |
This is not the first time the Chinese authorities have restricted fasting in Xinjiang. | This is not the first time the Chinese authorities have restricted fasting in Xinjiang. |
But with the restrictions coming amidst growing violence in the region, it is likely to exacerbate tensions. | But with the restrictions coming amidst growing violence in the region, it is likely to exacerbate tensions. |
The students we spoke to at Kashgar Normal University said those Uighurs refusing to eat received official warnings, which could seriously affect their future career prospects. | The students we spoke to at Kashgar Normal University said those Uighurs refusing to eat received official warnings, which could seriously affect their future career prospects. |
In some cases, students could even be denied by their degrees. | In some cases, students could even be denied by their degrees. |
"Most of us would like to fast," said one of the students. "But with the current situation most of us have decided against it." | "Most of us would like to fast," said one of the students. "But with the current situation most of us have decided against it." |
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