China City Bans Long Beards, Islamic Clothing on Buses: Report

[Anees]

Beijing, China: A city in China's mainly Muslim Xinjiang region has banned people with large beards or Islamic clothing from travelling on public buses, state media said, prompting outrage from an overseas rights group Wednesday.

Authorities in Karamay banned people wearing hijabs, niqabs, burkas, or clothing with the Islamic star and crescent symbol from taking local buses, the Karamay Daily reported.

The ban also covers "large beards", the paper said, adding: "Those who do not cooperate with inspection teams will be handled by police."

Xinjiang, a resource rich region which abuts central Asia, is the homeland of China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority and has been hit by a wave of clashes between locals and security forces which have killed hundreds in the past year.

China has blamed several deadly attacks on civilians outside the region in recent months on "terrorists" seeking independence for the region.

Rights groups say restrictions on Uighurs' religious and cultural freedoms have stoked tensions.

China last month enforced a ban on students and government staff from Ramadan fasting, while officials have also tried to encourage locals in Xinjiang not to wear Islamic veils.

The Karamay restrictions are "a typical discriminatory measure...which add to an increasing confrontation between Uighurs and Beijing," Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the exiled World Uyghur Congress (WUC), said in a statement to AFP.

Chinese state media said Sunday that nearly 100 people including 59 "terrorists" had been killed in an attack in Xinjiang last week.

The report came days after the government-appointed head of the largest mosque in China, in one of the region's oldest cities, Kashgar, was killed after leading morning prayers.

China announced a year-long terrorism crackdown following a deadly bombing attack in Xinjiang's capital Urumqi in May, and hundreds of alleged terrorists have been arrested.

Security on public transport has also been tightened.

The Karamay ban applies during a sports competition ending on August 20 the report said.

Authorities in Urumqi last month banned bus passengers from carrying a range of items including cigarette lighters and yogurt, state media said.

China City Bans Long Beards, Islamic Clothing on Buses: Report - NDTV

City bans large beards on buses - Emirates 24/7

 

[BoQ77]

Wonder how this girl could be a harm

 

[steelseries779]

 

[BoQ77]

is it better ? change appearance cannot make anyone less terrorism ...

poor performance police.

China still struggle with a multi culture society ...

Let see how US not to ban Muslim ... after 9/11

 

[northeast]

It's a necessary way to reduce the radical religious terrists.But I think it won't work well if we don't focus on education of Uyghur people.

 

[Gautam]

This is China's internal matter. But how dare France ban Burqa and head scarf! That was worst.

 

[That Guy]

Bad move, if true. The more you try and suppress something, the more prevalent it will become (similar to streisand effect). This isn't just targeting extremists, this is targeting regular folk. Extremists don't have a qualm about shaving their beards, because shaving helps them blend in and commit crime easily, so the only ones that are really hurt by this is the common man.

It also gives the separatists more propaganda, and legitimizes their claim that Muslims are being persecuted by Chinese authorities.

Again, if this is all true.

 

[pher]

Wonder how this girl could be a harm

you better shut up. Does your tiny brain have the capacity to tell which is harm or not? This situation is far complicated from the primitive jungle culture which you are familiar with

 

[BoQ77]

Do You think that there's no way but crush all of your people as in Tiananmen Square 1989, could eliminate opposers ?

 

[pher]

Do You think that there's no way but crush all of your people as in Tiananmen Square 1989, could eliminate opposers ?

Tiananmen measures of course worked. Look what we have achieved after that.

If you stupid viets really like to enjoy the freedom of Egypt, Lybia, or Ukraine, you can go to your streets now and blow off everything in front of you.

 

[shashikant]

India should also do the same .

 

[Mugwop]

It's a necessary way to reduce the radical religious terrists.But I think it won't work well if we don't focus on education of Uyghur people.

Banning long beards? Is this news even true? Ancient Chinese poets used to have long beards.

 

[Echo_419]

Internal matter of the Peoples Republic,their country their laws

India should also do the same .

Thodi akaal wali baate kara karo

 

[liall]

good on China veils no place in modern society

 

[zxmint]

Bad move, if true. The more you try and suppress something, the more prevalent it will become (similar to streisand effect). This isn't just targeting extremists, this is targeting regular folk. Extremists don't have a qualm about shaving their beards, because shaving helps them blend in and commit crime easily, so the only ones that are really hurt by this is the common man.

It also gives the separatists more propaganda, and legitimizes their claim that Muslims are being persecuted by Chinese authorities.

Again, if this is all true.

I understand your point, especially from a religious aspect. But there is a truth that hundreds of innocent Chinese people died in terror attacks in this year, ranks NO.4 of in the world, just behind Iraq, Syria and Libya. It is shocking data, isn't it? The first three are all at wars! China is actually at an anti-terrorism war right now, though it's not literally claimed.

And I would like to let you know that it is not Uyghur's culture at all to wear Burqa or keep beards. They are both imports from Arab countries in these a few years. Look at actual Uyghur's traditional clothing below:

To be honest, there are a lot of Chinese people who have negative impression on Islam and Muslims. It is understandable especially considering how much they suffered. What I want to say is, when so many(or at least not a few) Muslims turn to extremists and terrorists, isn't it necessary to consider about Islam itself??? I hope one day Islam could become more open and fits better with the modern society, which would be the only way to stop the tragedies from happening again and again.

Do You think that there's no way but crush all of your people as in Tiananmen Square 1989, could eliminate opposers ?

If all your life's meaning comes from provoke Chinese, I would feel sorry for you. Poor guy and loser.