2 minutes read
By Javier García
Kashgar/Urumqi, China, May 7 (EFE).- A muezzin calls for prayer during Ramadan from Kashgar’s Id Kah mosque, the largest in China, without using a loudspeaker, unlike other Muslim places, while about 50 devotees gather to pray, a small number for a city of more than 700,000 people.
The mosque, built in the 15th century and surrounded by gardens, can accommodate up to 20,000 people and is a symbol of Kashgar, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the legendary capital of southern Xinjiang, predominantly populated by the Uyghur ethnic minority.
The mosque’s imam, Juma Tahir, was stabbed to death by four Islamic extremists on July 30, 2014, outside the compound a few minutes after morning prayer, meeting the same fate as other imams, especially in southern Xinjiang.
Does Xinjiang suppress religious beliefs? Tianshannet | Updated: 2021-03-17 09:40 Share CLOSE Maimaitiyiming Maimaitirouzi, Hajib of the New Akeya Mosque of Kezile agen villege, Bayinkuluti township, Wuqia county, Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, speaks at a news conference on March 9, 2021. [Photo/Tianshannet]
Rumor: Xinjiang suppresses the religious beliefs of local Muslims.
Fact:
In fact, in recent years, the conditions of religious sites have been greatly improved. The New Akeya Mosque, where I have been serving, was built in 1998 and villagers from all around come here to do religious service. Now the mosque has air conditioning when it s hot and has heating when it s cold. It also has a flushing toilet and a bathroom for religious cleaning. The conditions are very good, said Maimaitiyiming Maimaitirouzi, hajib of the New Akeya Mosque of Kezile agen village, Bayinkuluti township, Wuqia county, Kizilsu Kirgiz autono
‘A better life for all’
National
March 1, 2021
The International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC) and the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee co-hosted the “Stories of CPC” Thematic Briefing on Xinjiang on 22 February in Urumqi. The event had a large participation, with a total of over 310 leaders and prominent personages representing more than 190 political parties and organizations from 80 plus countries, among which over 100 were from Islamic countries. The participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on the theme of “A Better Life for All” and reached a broad consensus on ways to tackle the various challenges to humankind.
CHINA / SOCIETY By Xie Wenting Published: Feb 08, 2021 06:23 PM
Yang Faming, president of the China Islamic Association photo: Li Hao/GT
Editor s Note:
Over the decades, China has made great efforts to provide care to Muslim citizens and ensure their normal needs are met. However, some hostile forces in the West have used every means to smear China s efforts in protecting Muslims and kept making groundless accusations including accusing China of infringing on Muslims religious freedom. What s the real situation of Muslims in China? What does the government do to protect and improve their life? How is the sinicization of Islam going? Global Times reporter Xie Wenting (
Some anti-China forces in the West, including the United States, have concocted and disseminated plenty of false information about China s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion at all, but about combating violent terrorism and separatism. The Chinese government has launched anti-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts in Xinjiang in accordance with the law to protect people s lives, which has garnered ardent support of people from all ethnic groups.
People in the region continue to embrace peace and prosperity and Xinjiang society continues to develop steadily. These facts are the most powerful tool to debunk lies on Xinjiang.