Ramadan as a symbol of identity and resistance in East Turkistan

ABDULWARITH ABDULKHALIQ

CHAIRMAN OF THE EAST TURKISTAN PRESS AND MEDIA ASSOCIATION

RAMADAN AS A SYMBOL OF IDENTITY AND RESISTANCE IN EAST TURKISTAN

The holy month of Ramadan is a fundamental pillar of Islam and is sacred to Muslims worldwide. During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, devoting themselves to worship, spiritual contemplation, and charitable works.

However, in East Turkistan (officially known in China as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), these once-free religious practices have become a risky activity, subject to strict restrictions.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND

East Turkistan is a region with a rich Islamic history spanning over a thousand years. Islam arrived in the region in the first century AH, and over time, Islam became the dominant religion in the country. Historical mosques bear witness to this rich heritage, such as the Idgah Mosque in the historic city of Kashgar and the Great Mosque in Hotan.

Restrictions began to tighten in 2000 and continue to this day, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. The Chinese government began linking Uyghur religious identity with "terrorism" and "extremism," leading to a radical shift in policies.

Uyghur culture is deeply rooted in Islamic traditions and culture, blending local customs with Islamic teachings to form a unique identity. The Uyghur language itself, historically written in the Arabic script, also reflects this Islamic influence.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHINESE POLICIES TOWARD RELIGIOUS PRACTICES:

THE FIRST PHASE (1949-1980)

After China's occupation of East Turkistan in 1949, policies toward religious practices went through several phases. During the Cultural Revolution (1949-1980), religious institutions came under direct attack, with mosques destroyed or converted into warehouses and factories, and Islamic practices almost completely banned.

THE PERIOD OF RELATIVE OPENNESS (1980-2000)

Following the end of the Cultural Revolution, the 1980s and 1990s witnessed a period of relative openness, allowing some mosques to reopen and religious practices, including fasting during Ramadan, to resume. Some mosques were rebuilt and renovated, pilgrims were allowed to travel to Mecca, and trade with Muslim countries flourished.

THE BEGINNING OF TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS (2000-2001)

Tightening restrictions began in 2000 and continue to this day, especially after the events of September 11, 2001. The Chinese government began linking Uyghur religious identity with "terrorism" and "extremism," leading to a radical change in policy.

Since 2014, with the launch of the "Strike Hard Against Terrorism" campaign, followed by the "Counter-Extremism Campaign" in 2017, restrictions have escalated significantly, and practicing Islamic rituals, including fasting during Ramadan, has become a highly monitored and restricted activity.

RESTRICTIONS ON PRACTICES DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

Complete Ban on Fasting: Local authorities have issued decrees prohibiting fasting for state employees, teachers, students, employees of government companies, and even ordinary people. Human rights reports have documented cases of students being forced to eat and drink in front of teachers during fasting hours in schools and universities.

Monitoring measures in schools and institutions include inspecting students' bags to ensure they are not carrying iftar meals, organizing strenuous physical activities during Ramadan, conducting tests during the day, and organizing beer-drinking competitions during the holy month of Ramadan.

Restaurants are forced to remain open during the day: Restaurants that close during the day are fined and required to offer special discounts to encourage people not to fast.

Home Visits: Government teams conduct surprise visits to homes to deliver food and check on residents' consumption, especially in rural areas, to ensure they are not fasting.

Restrictions on Prayer and Religious Gatherings: More than 15,000 mosques have been demolished and converted into nightclubs and discos. Surveillance cameras and ID scanners have been installed at the entrances of the remaining mosques, which are open only to tourists as historical monuments, without allowing prayer.

Tarawih Prayers Banned: Tarawih prayers are considered an "extremist practice" in East Turkistan and have been either banned or severely restricted.

Ramadan Rituals and Traditions Banned: Copies of the Quran and religious books have been confiscated from homes, Islamic bookstores have been closed, public Eid celebrations have been banned, large family gatherings have been prohibited, and permits have been required for family visits during the holidays. Religious displays such as wearing the hijab, growing a beard, and wearing traditional clothing during Eid have also been banned.

Ramadan in East Turkistan represents more than just a month of worship; it represents a struggle over identity, culture, and belonging. Restrictions on Ramadan practices are part of a broader pattern of policies targeting the religious and cultural identity of Uyghurs and other Muslims in the region.

CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING RESTRICTIONS

Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented cases of people being arrested for fasting or performing religious rituals during Ramadan. Punishments can include:

SHORT-TERM DETENTION IN POLICE STATIONS.

Administrative detention for up to a year or more.

Referral to "re-education camps" for longer periods.

Loss of government jobs or expulsion of students from schools and universities.

Fine fines and frequent home visits.

Ramadan is a symbol of identity and resistance in the diaspora as well.

As the growing numbers of Uyghurs have fled East Turkistan, large Uyghur communities have formed in countries such as Turkey, Central Asia, Saudi Arabia, and even European countries. Uyghurs are keen to revive Ramadan traditions in ways that reflect their cultural identity, such as:

Organizing communal iftars featuring traditional Uyghur dishes.

Performing Tarawih prayers in Uyghur centers and mosques.

Organizing cultural and religious events for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Establishing schools to teach children the Uyghur language and Islamic culture.

The issue of freedom of religious practice in East Turkistan remains a fundamental human rights issue, requiring continued international attention and a commitment to supporting the right of Uyghurs and all Muslims in the region to practice their religion.

Celebrating Ramadan in the diaspora has become not only a religious practice but also an affirmation of identity and belonging. Participating in Ramadan traditions has become a form of cultural resistance and the preservation of collective memory in the face of attempts to erase religious and cultural identity in East Turkistan.

CONCLUSION

Ramadan in East Turkistan represents more than just a month of worship; it represents a struggle over identity, culture, and belonging. Restrictions on Ramadan practices are part of a broader pattern of policies targeting the religious and cultural identity of Uyghurs and other Muslims in the region.

Despite these challenges, Uyghurs, both in East Turkistan and in the diaspora, continue to adhere to their traditions and religious identity. In this sense, Ramadan has become not only a time of worship but also a symbol of resilience and cultural resistance in the face of forced assimilation and religious repression.

Ultimately, the issue of freedom of religious practice in East Turkistan remains a fundamental human rights issue, requiring continued international attention and a commitment to support the right of Uyghurs and all Muslims in the region to practice their religious rituals, including celebrating Ramadan, in freedom and dignity.

Source: Al Jazeera Net