Religion Roundup
China's Muslims Say Ramadan a Time of Repression
Associated Press
September 29, 2008
KUQA, China - For Muslims, Ramadan is a time of fasting and prayer.
But for China's ethnic Uighurs, the holy month is also full of fear and resentment over tight restrictions on how they practice their moderate form of Islam.
Local governments have posted lists of warnings on their Web sites, including a detailed one by a township in western China. It says government employees, teachers and students cannot fast during Ramadan, restaurants must stay open during the daylight fasting period and proselytizing in public is prohibited.
A slogan painted on a wall in the area warns Muslims it is illegal to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca except with a government-sanctioned tour group.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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