Posted on 09/09/2008 1:14:30 PM PDT by Schnucki
Government employees and Communist members banned from fasting during Ramadan
Officials in China's turbulent north-western region of Xinjiang are tightening restrictions on Muslim practices including mass prayers during Ramadan, according to government notices.
Government employees and Communist party members are banned from fasting, wearing veils or growing beards, said circulars posted on several official websites. Other measures - which appear to vary area to area - include forcing restaurants to maintain their usual opening hours instead of shifting them in light of dawn-to-dusk fasting.
Religious controls are usually stricter during Ramadan but experts say this year's are noticeably stronger and believe it is the first time they have been published rather than passed on orally.
A notice on the Zhaosu county website said that ideological education had to be stepped up in the face of "violent and disruptive activities by religious extremists, separatists and terrorists".
Last month saw the worst violence for a decade with a string of fatal attacks including an assault on police in Kashgar that left 16 officers dead and 16 wounded. No one has claimed responsibility but officials have blamed Uighur separatists.
Two of the towns that posted notices, Xinhe and Shaya, are near Kuqa, where 11 peopledied in suicide bombings and police shootings a few days later.
Around half the population of the vast region of Xinjiang is composed of Muslim Uighurs. Many resent the religious and cultural restrictions placed upon them and some seek an independent East Turkestan.
A note on the Shaya government website said propaganda and inspections should be stepped up during the period. "Fasting and participation in religious activities by party members and students is forbidden," it said.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
They're commies, but they're not dummies...
Uh oh... This is not going to go down to well with the religion of peace. I would hate to live there more than ever now.
We would be wise to do the same thing here IMHO...
IMHO, we’re all going to fight our last fight, to a man, with these bastards, over Islam. As long as there is one left, there will be a fight. Extermination is the only answer; sad, but true.
A regular practice during Ramadan. Apparently muslims like to riot during their religious holidays. I’ve heard that the Chinese government also offers muslims, during Ramadan, free lunches and free liquor, to tempt the faithful.
For once I think the Chinese have it right in this case.
It is the most direct and obvious answer... but not the only one. Islam could have its own Reformation (likely only to take place if they take huge damage... like the loss of Medina?), there could be a greater global problem to distract their attention (another World War?), the Second Coming of Christ, etc.
Not suprising, once the Olympics ended.
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