China bans Ramadan

Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region working as civil servants, students and teachers were banned from fasting during the days of Ramadanon Wednesday.

According to Agence France-Presse, The state-run Bozhou and TV university said on its website that it would enforce the ban on party members, teachers, and young people from taking part in Ramadan activities. It also added that they would remind everyone that they are not permitted to observe a Ramadan fast.

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

Xinjiang is a Muslim region where the Uighur minority resides for decades. For years China’s ruling communist party has restricted fasting in the region, which has seen regular and often deadly clashes between Uighurs and state security forces.

On Monday, Chinese authorities reportedly encouraged Uighurs to eat free meals on Monday and inspected homes to check if fasting was being observed.

interactive editor