HOTAN, CHINA - The corner where Heyitkah Mosque in China's restive Xinjiang region once hummed with life is now a concrete parking lot where all traces of the tall, domed building have been erased.
"The situation here is very strict, it takes a toll on my heart," said one Uighur, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals."I don't go any more," he added, referring to mosques."I'm scared." In Hotan on Friday - a holy day for believers - the only mosque in the city was empty after sundown, an important prayer session when Muslim families typically break their daily fast.
The Xinjiang government told AFP that it"protects religious freedoms" and citizens can celebrate Ramadan"within the scope permitted by law", without elaborating. MOSQUES GONE In recent years, Chinese authorities have ramped up controls on public displays of religion and Islamic traditions in Xinjiang.
The area is some 22 km away from an enormous complex believed to be a re-education centre. Visible from a nearby village, the facility has razor-wired walls, watchtowers and imposing block buildings. Uighurs consider these mosques and shrines"their ancestral heritage," said Mr Omer Kanat, director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project.
it's an illegal building.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wrecked mosques, police watch: A tense Ramadan in XinjiangThe corner where Heyitkah Mosque in China's restive Xinjiang region once hummed with life is now a concrete parking lot where all traces of the ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
China reports H5N6 bird flu outbreak in XinjiangBEIJING: China has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 bird flu in Horgos in the far western Xinjiang region. The outbreak killed ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Rights group urges US to sanction China over Xinjiang campsGENEVA: The United States, embroiled in a trade war with China, should also impose sanctions on China for detaining an estimated one million ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Muslims celebrate Eid, ending Ramadan holy monthMuslims around the world celebrated the Eid-al-Fitr religious holiday on Tuesday, marking the end of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
M'sian police chief asks for patience, says police know where Jho Low isKUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador has asked Malaysians to remain patient for Jho Low’s arrest.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Bangladesh have gelled after mosque attack trauma, says coachBangladesh have dealt with the trauma of the Christchurch mosque attacks by becoming closer as a team, coach Steve Rhodes said on Tuesday as his ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Stocks to watch: CapitaLand, CDL, CMT, Keppel, Indofood Agri Resources, Vibrant GroupTHE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their shares on Monday: Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »
Explainer: What is the US currency watch list and why is Singapore on it?SINGAPORE — Other than knee-jerk reactions in the financial markets, economists said that there would likely be no short-term impact on Singapore for being on the United States’ watch list for currency practices.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Explainer: What is the US currency watch list and why is Singapore on it?SINGAPORE — Other than knee-jerk reactions in the financial markets, economists said that there would likely be no short-term impact on Singapore for being on the United States’ watch list for currency practices.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Watch out for traffic 'RoboCop' at Changi AirportA robot traffic cop is doing the rounds at Changi Airport.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »