All across southern China, posters have been seen warning its residents against helping bearded Muslim men in an attempt to deter the Chinese people from helping apparent "terrorists," the has reported.
The posters depict various cartoon-like confrontations between supposed bearded terrorists and the Chinese public and include slogans such as "Terrorism is the enemy of all mankind" and "Helping terrorists flee the country is a crime".
Images criticized for showing stereotypical image of ethnic Uighur militants from Xinjiang province. (Photo courtesy: Liuzhou Laowai/ BBC)
An example of one of these posters shows the image of two bearded men brandishing swords and is a clear reference to the attacks on transport hubs. Another poster shows bearded men paying a disheveled man to help them flee the country and a distressed citizen calling the 110 emergency number.
These posters have mainly been seen in public places within Liuzhou in the south-central Guangxi region.
The posters were brought to the attention of the wider world after a local blogger, Liuzhou Laowai, described them as "crude" and "racist".
The blogger states they are stereotypical representations of Muslim Uighur militants from the Xinjiang province, the group blamed for various deadly attacks across China.
The province was recently in the news after Chinese authorities Muslims in the region working as civil servants, students and teachers from fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The violent campaign of Uighurs taking place across the country is causing the Chinese to take these desperate actions. The campaign has already killed many citizens in its attacks on public areas and transport system.
The neighboring province of Guangdong has recently begun offering rewards of up to $80,000 for reports of any terrorist activity in hopes of minimizing these attacks.
The predominantly Muslim Uighur people see themselves as having a right to Central Asia and oppose the mass immigration of Han Chinese into Xinjiang province.
However Beijing does not support this claim and thinks the militants' actions to be a violent campaign for an independent state through terrorism.
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Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region working as civil servants, students and teachers have been banned from fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday.
The state-run Bozhou Radio and TV university said on its website that it would “enforce the ban on party members, teachers, and young people from taking part in Ramadan activities,” according to Agence France-Presse.
“We remind everyone that they are not permitted to observe a Ramadan fast,” it added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (6th L) communicates with local villagers in Shufu County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
A weather bureau in Qaraqash county in western Xinjiang said on its website that “in accordance with instructions from higher authorities”, it “calls on all current and retired staff not to fast during Ramadan”.
A state office which manages the Tarim River basin posted pictures of its staff wearing traditional Uighur “doppa” caps tucking into a group meal on Saturday.
“Although the meal coincided with the Muslim festival of Ramadan, the cadres who took part expressed a positive attitude and will lead the non-fasting,” it said.
Meanwhile, the commercial affairs bureau of Turfan city said on its website Monday that “civil servants and students cannot take part in fasting and other religious activities.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th R back) communicates with policemen on drill in the city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy: Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
China has in the past said that restrictions on fasting are meant to ensure the health of government employees, according to AFP.
When contacted by Al Arabiya News head of the Islamic Chinese Relations Council Isaaq Yousef said he didn’t know whether there was a ban but he said: “if there is one it would be low level state employees who could be seeking to stir trouble.”
“There is no interest for the state in banning anyone who wants to practice his religion. But if this happens, it is usually those state employees who are behind this.”
Isaaq cited the visit of President Xi Jinping to the region in April during which he visited a mosque and met with representatives of the Muslim community in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Xinjiang is a mainly Muslim region, home to the Uighur minority. For years China's ruling Communist party has restricted fasting in the region, which has seen sees regular and often deadly clashes between Uighurs and state security forces.
Beijing has blamed recent deadly attacks elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region.
The month of Ramadan began this weekend. During the holy month, the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious.
Home inspections
On Monday, Chinese authorities reportedly encouraged Uighurs to eat free meals on Monday, and inspected homes to check if the fast was being observed, Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the exiled World Uyghur Congress, told AFP citing local sources.
“China taking these kind of coercive measures, restricting the faith of Uighurs, will create more conflict,” he said.
“We call on China to ensure religious freedom for Uighurs and stop political repression of Ramadan.
