China bans Ramadan: Fasting and ‘taking part in religious activities’ forbidden in controversial

[rug]

crackdown on minority Uighur Muslims



Statements from local government departments and schools say ban is to prevent Muslims from 'instilling religion' into public bodies

Thursday 03 July 2014
Adam Withnall

Chinese authorities across the country’s restive northwest region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim students and civil servants from taking part in all “religious activities” during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a region where around 45 per cent of the population is Muslim, a series of notices issued by schools and government departments have “strictly forbidden” anyone from taking part in fasting, and some have even been banned from performing their daily prayers in mosques.

Notices said the bans were designed to prevent the use of schools and government offices to “promote religion”, while local political organisations have been reminded of the ruling party’s officially atheist stance.

But the decision to ban Ramadan is particularly controversial for Xinjiang, coming amid an extensive security crackdown on the minority Uighur Muslim population.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-bans-ramadan-fasting-and-taking-part-in-religious-activities-forbidden-in-controversial-crackdown-on-minority-uighur-muslims-9580646.html

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Has there ever been an example, anywhere in history

of a state banning a religious practice, and the adherents saying 'welp, okie-doke' and dropping it?

Has that ever worked? I'd be shocked if people would drop religious convictions/practice so lightly.

[Tetris_Iguana]

2. I sense this will only serve to harden the fundies.

IMO, the best way to extinguish fundamentalism is take away the persecution card by allowing free practice while promoting a strong materialist opposition.

If there's anything people love more than god it's TV, partying, and cheap Levi's.

[DetlefK]

3. Bad for China in a totally different way.

China is investing big-time in Africa to exploit natural resources. If China openly attacks practitioners of Islam, it opens itself to attacks by african islamist militants.

[rug]

4. There were similar crackdowns after it took Tibet but you're right, this has wider implications.

[pinto]

5. Wary of Islam, China Tightens a Vise of Rules (2008, NY Times piece)

Good background here -

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/world/asia/19xinjiang.html?_r=0

By EDWARD WONG
Published: October 18, 2008

KHOTAN, China — The grand mosque that draws thousands of Muslims each week in this oasis town has all the usual trappings of piety: dusty wool carpets on which to kneel in prayer, a row of turbans and skullcaps for men without headwear, a wall niche facing the holy city of Mecca in the Arabian desert.

Khotan’s mosque draws thousands of Muslims each week. In Kashgar, Uighurs prepared to break their daily fast during Ramadan last month.

But large signs posted by the front door list edicts that are more Communist Party decrees than Koranic doctrines.

The imam’s sermon at Friday Prayer must run no longer than a half-hour, the rules say. Prayer in public areas outside the mosque is forbidden. Residents of Khotan are not allowed to worship at mosques outside of town.

[edhopper]

6. Time for

Hobby Lobby to order more crap from them.