Muslim organisation condemns China

Cairo

Al-Azhar, A leading Sunni Muslim organisation condemned China for imposing restrictions on fasting in its mainly Muslim dominated Xinjiang province during the holy month of Ramadan.

China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in Xinjiang from fasting during Ramadan which began on Thursday, and ordered restaurants to stay open.

"Al-Azhar and its grand imam, Ahmed al-Tayeb, condemn the Chinese authorities' ban on Muslims from fasting and practising their religious rituals during Ramadan in some parts of the western Xinjiang region," said a statement from the Cairo-based Al-Azhar.

"Al-Azhar rejects all forms of oppression practised against Uighur Muslims in China that affect their religious rights and personal freedoms," said the prestigious institution, demanding that the international community, the United Nations and human rights groups end these violations.