"Uyghur Women Activists in the Diaspora: Restorying a Genocide" Chronicles the Empowering Journey of Advocacy

Uyghur Women Activists in the Diaspora: Restorying a Genocide" was released recently. The book emerges as a compelling and impactful narrative chronicling the lives of ten resilient Uyghur women. Authored by Susan J. Palmer, Dilmurat Mahmut, Abdulmuqtedir Udun, this book, now available from Bloomsbury Academic, sheds light on the transformational stories of these activists who have become the voice of the silenced and oppressed.
Born and raised in East Turkestan during the tumultuous times of the 1970s-90s, these women encountered ethnic discrimination firsthand before choosing to leave China before 2005. Settling in Western countries, their personal experiences ignited a fire of advocacy and resilience within them, driving them to become torchbearers for the silenced voices of the Turkic people, especially those trapped in "re-education" camps.
Based on online interviews conducted between 2020 and 2021, "Uyghur Women Activists in the Diaspora" presents an oral history that intricately explores these women's journeys. It delves into their defining moments, cultural transitions, and the intricate interplay of religious, political, and psychological factors that shaped their emergence as advocates for a new Uyghur-Muslim feminism, redefining their identities and narratives.
Featuring remarkable individuals such as Zubayra Shamseden, Rushan Abbas, Rahima Mahmut, Rukiye Turdush, Arzu Gul, Raziya Mahmut, Dilnur Reyhan, Gulcherha Hoja, Zumrat Dawut, and Mihrigul Tursun, the book stands as a testament to resilience, activism, and the unwavering spirit of these exceptional women.