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. <\/p>\n
By Martin Patience BBC News, Beijing
11 July 2014 Last updated at 06:46 ET<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But they told us they were being forced to have meals with professors to ensure they were not fasting.<\/p>\n
Those who refuse to eat risk being punished by officials.<\/p>\n
One student told us, “If you want a normal life here then you’d better not fast.”<\/p>\n
Xinjiang is home to the Uighur ethnic minority – most of whom are Muslim.<\/p>\n
Beijing blames a string of recent attacks on Muslim extremists and what it calls overseas terrorist groups.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, courts in Xinjiang handed 32 people prison terms for downloading or sending “violent terror” videos.<\/p>\n
Many Uighurs, however, say the violence is being fuelled by Beijing’s repression of their cultural and religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
The students who spoke to the BBC said that fasting was banned in all universities across the region.<\/p>\n
Several government departments are also enforcing a ban.<\/p>\n
One government hospital even got Muslim staff to sign a written pledge promising not to fast.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, children, pregnant women, the sick and those travelling are exempt from fasting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This is not the first time the Chinese authorities have restricted fasting in Xinjiang.<\/p>\n
But with the restrictions coming amidst growing violence in the region, it is likely to exacerbate tensions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In some cases, students could even be denied by their degrees.<\/p>\n
“Most of us would like to fast,” said one of the students. “But with the current situation most of us have decided against it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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