Reports of Fasting Restrictions in East Turkistan

Reports indicate that China is once again imposing strict fasting restrictions during Ramadan this year among the residents of East Turkistan, utilizing various repressive measures.

Tightened Restrictions During Ramadan

According to a source who requested anonymity, China has enforced tight fasting restrictions on the population of East Turkistan since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan fasting.

Repressive Measures to Prevent Fasting

The source revealed that Chinese authorities have deployed special patrols in the streets of East Turkistan to prevent secret Ramadan fasting, conducting nightly rounds in residential neighborhoods, monitoring homes, and taking photographs of any household that shows lights as evidence. The following day, the owners of these homes are summoned to neighborhood committees or police stations for questioning with inquiries such as: "Why was your house lit up at night? Did you have Suhoor? Who in your family had Suhoor?" Even when the interrogated individuals provide excuses such as using the restroom, having a sick child, or taking care of livestock, the police or Chinese officials do not believe these responses and force them to drink water to prove that they are not engaging in Ramadan fasting.

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Decades of Oppressive Policies in East Turkistan

China has been legislating oppressive policies for years aimed at comprehensively suppressing Islam and Muslims in East Turkistan, having banned all expressions, actions, and rituals related to Islam. The prohibition of Ramadan fasting is a repressive policy that has been in place since the beginning of the Chinese occupation of East Turkistan and has intensified and expanded in recent years.

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Ten Rules Targeting Uyghurs

Previous reports have revealed the ten rules that China uses as a basis for detaining Uyghurs in re-education camps and prisons, and China continues to employ these rules to suppress the people of East Turkistan to this day. These announced rules target the following individuals:

1. Those who grow beards or wear hijabs
2. Those who use their native language in schools
3. Those who refuse to smoke or drink alcohol
4. Those who wear clothing with Arabic letters
5. Users of WhatsApp
6. Those who argue with local officials or file complaints against them
7. Those who travel to other countries
8. Those who participate in funerals according to tradition
9. Those who engage in Ramadan fasting
10. Those who enter mosques

Attempts to Deceive the International Community

However, in recent years, China has invited officials, journalists, and workers from social organizations from some countries to East Turkistan, taking them on visits to pre-arranged locations and setting up meetings with specific individuals. Through these actions, China attempts to deceive the international community and give a false impression that the people of East Turkistan live under no fasting restrictions and enjoy all their rights.

Source: Turkistan Press