While most of the Muslims across the world are fasting and observing the holy month of Ramadan, China is reportedly making efforts to stop people from fasting during Ramadan in its mainly Muslim area of Xinjiang.
According to a report in Independent, restaurants in the Muslim province have been asked to remain open. The officials are also reportedly making efforts to take other measures to prevent poeple from fasting in Ramadan. this is not the first time such reports have surfaced. In the year 2014 and 2015, China had restricted civil servants, students and teachers in Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan.
Most Muslims fast from dawn to dusk in the month of Ramadan. However, numerous efforts have reportedly been taken to stop the Uyghurs from fasting and offering prayers in Ramazan. Independent reported that the move was being taken to ensure “stability maintenance”. Some of the Muslims are also reportedly made do 24-hour shifts making it difficult for let go food and water for such long hours. Additionally, students have been directed to come together to “collectively study, watch red (communist) films, and conduct sports activities” to “enrich their social life during the summer vacation”.
Since the Muslims have to start fasting from dawn to dusk, they do not have any energy left to participate in sports activities during the fast in Ramadan. Earlier in March, China banned burqas, veils and “abnormal” beards in what was termed as an attempt to crackdown on religious extremism. The Muslims members of the Uyghur population were also forced to watch State television.
