There is no way we can specifically ascertain if there is truth to this story. However the more important question is this. Are the Uighur Muslim's being pushed by Chinese state that involves the Uighurs compromising there religion or culture? Yes, absolutely is my answer.
Also the broader question. London, New York, Dublin, Toronto are far better for Muslim's to practice their faith then Beijiang or Kashgar. Everybody know's this and those who refuse to accept would also refuse to accept that night follows day.
The reality is China is authoritarian quasi-communist state ran by CPC. Most Chinese now are athiest and look at religion as anachronism in the modern world. To the Chinese their loyalty lies with the Chinese state. It is interesting that the Mosque has the Chinese flag inside as that is giving a message. Chinese state is supreme.
The Chinese might just put up with religion but when any religion becomes a vehicle for secessionist tendancies you can expect the wrath of the Chinese state. This is not peculaiar to China. Any strong state ( Chinsa, Turkey etc ) will react with iron fist. Only in weak ( Pakistan ) will challange of the state be met with miserable appeasment. Do not expect the Chinese muck up their country like we did in Pakistan. China is going to be numero uno and people least of all bunch of Muslims are going to come in their way.
China has 1,300 million people. When those 1,300 millin people get up the morning and they all think alike, talk alike, act alike, feel alike, walk alike, aspire alike, work alike we will see the one huge mass of humanity working togather and like a fine tuned machine with all the thousands of parts working in perfect unision become the most productive nation is history. Hyperpower China will have arrived.