Community | July 10, 2009 | 3 comments

China Bans Mosque Meetings in Strife-Torn Region

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/11/world/asia/11china.html?hp

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URUMQI, China — Chinese authorities banned prayer gatherings at mosques here on Friday, the principal day of prayer for Muslims, as security officials tried to prevent further ethnic violence in the Xinjiang region.

But local officials appeared to partly relax the ban on Friday afternoon, allowing shortened prayer services after hundreds of Uighur worshipers gathered outside at least two of Urumqi’s main mosques and pressed to be allowed inside, news agencies reported.

The security clampdown that followed Sunday’s deadly riots remained tight. A small group of about 40 Uighur men and women began a protest march after prayers ended Friday, but they were quickly blocked by police forces, The Associated Press reported. Officials later announced a curfew would be reimposed on the city Friday evening. The city’s main bus station was filled with people trying to flee the unrest, news services said.

Meanwhile, in another large Xinjiang city, the ancient Silk Road oasis town of Kashgar, foreign journalists and other visitors were instructed to leave.

end of excerpt

Source: The New York Times Online
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    Community,   Current Tonight,   Humanism,   Peoples Republic of China,   1 more
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    News,  China,  Current Tonight,  Humanism
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3 comments // China Bans Mosque Meetings in Strife-Torn Region

  • afitzgerald
    • 0
      afitzgerald  

    • This whole explosion in Xinjiang doesn't seem to bode well for China apologists dazzled by their economic growth. And this is is a conflict we're hearing about. Many go completely unreported.

    • 2 years ago
  • bishopobispo
    • 0
      bishopobispo  

    • China,

      I've watched your economy grow rapidly over the past few years (decades really), but there is one thing I think you should realize. If you really want to be respected by other nations, you must learn to tolerate diversity of opinion within your own country.

      With that being said, I beg that you attempt to appreciate views that don't fall within the 'mainstream' sentiment of the majority of your own populace.

      And yes, I'm American and I know that my nation too has problems concerning equal treatment of all to sort out for ourselves. But nonetheless, I hope you understand.

      Sincerely,
      Bishopopbispo

    • 2 years ago
  • current89
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