Han Chinese attitudes toward Uighurs in Xinjiang.

Quote: “Many Han Chinese see Islam as the root of social problems in Xinjiang.” SP

Source: DB 1Wary of Islam, Edward Wong, p. 2

Quote: “The Uighurs are lazy,” said a man who runs a construction business in Kashgar and would give only his last name, Zhao, because of the political delicacy of the topic.

“It’s because of their religion,” he said. “They spend so much time praying. What are they praying for?” SP

Uighur attitudes toward Han Chinese in Xinjiang. Source: DB 1Wary of Islam, Edward Wong, p. 2

Quote: “Many say Han Chinese, the country’s dominant ethnic group, discriminate against them based on the most obvious differences between the groups: language and religion.” SP

Quote: “..far more common are the million little acts of personal defiance -- small efforts to proclaim the difference -- like wearing Islamic dress, refusing to speak Chinese or setting your watch to local time.” SP

Quote:“…Uighurs often accuse the Chinese of actively trying to erase their culture…” SP

Source: DB 2Defiant Chinese Muslims Keep Their Own Time, Elisabeth Rosenthal, p. 1

Interactions between Han and Uighur. Source: DB 2Defiant Chinese Muslims Keep Their Own Time, Elisabeth Rosenthal, p. 2

Quote: “In Kashgar, the tension between Chinese and Muslims bubbles beneath the surface, two people living side by side who rarely ever mix. There are Chinese businesses, and Uighur businesses; Chinese restaurants and Uighur restaurants. There is the huge People's Square, presided over by one of the country's largest Mao statues; and the equally sprawling Idkah Square, home to hundreds of vendors and one of China's largest mosques.” SP

Quote: ''We have nothing to do with each other,'' one Uighur said. ''The Chinese here act like they see right through us, like we're not people to them.'' SP

Persecution of Uighurs. Source: DB 2Defiant Chinese Muslims Keep Their Own Time, Elisabeth Rosenthal, p. 2

Quote: “People here know the latest on Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent businesswoman now jailed on charges of revealing state secrets -- her crimes included sending newspaper articles to her husband in the United States -- even though her story has not been covered in the Chinese state media. ” SP

Protests / Resistance. Source: DB 2Defiant Chinese Muslims Keep Their Own Time, Elisabeth Rosenthal, p. 1

Quote: “..far more common are the million little acts of personal defiance -- small efforts to proclaim the difference -- like wearing Islamic dress, refusing to speak Chinese or setting your watch to local time.” SP

Quote: He added that the crowded mosques and veiled women in Xinjiang did not reflect piety so much as protest -- people trying to display and preserve their cultural heritage. ''Most Uighurs are not very religious, it’s just that this is the only way they are allowed to express themselves.'' SP

Quote: In a province with a heavy police presence, where news is controlled and public meetings forbidden, the Uighurs protest in whatever little ways they can. ''When I am there I only buy from stores run by Uighurs, even though I know the price will be higher and the quality not as good,'' said the businessman. ''It's the principle.'' SP

Uighurs’ assessment of their own situation

Quote: “The divisions are ''definitely worse now than 5 or 10 years ago,'' said a Uighur businessman who lives in a coastal city but frequently returns home to Xinjiang. ''People are angry, they are having trouble finding work, and they feel they have been left out as the country has prospered.'' .” SP

Source: DB 2Defiant Chinese Muslims Keep Their Own Time, Elisabeth Rosenthal, p. 1

Restrictions on Uighurs Source: DB 1Wary of Islam, Edward Wong, p. 2

Quote: “About two years ago, the government began confiscating the passports of Uighurs across the region, angering many people here. Now virtually no Uighurs have passports, though they can apply for them for short trips. The new restriction has made life especially difficult for businessmen who travel to neighboring countries.” SP

Quote: “To get a passport to go on an official hajj tour or a business trip, applicants must leave a deposit of nearly $6,000.

“The cost of an official trip is the equivalent of $3,700, and hefty bribes usually raise the price. Once a person files an application, the authorities do a background check into the family. ” SP

Restrictions on Uighurs Source: DB 1Wary of Islam, Edward Wong, p. 1

Quote: “To be a practicing Muslim in the vast autonomous region of northwestern China called Xinjiang is to live under an intricate series of laws and regulations intended to control the spread and practice of Islam, the predominant religion among the Uighurs, a Turkic people uneasy with Chinese rule. SP

Quote: “Official versions of the Koran are the only legal ones. Imams may not teach the Koran in private, and studying Arabic is allowed only at special government schools. ” SP

Quote: “Government workers are not permitted to practice Islam, which means the slightest sign of devotion, a head scarf on a woman, for example, could lead to a firing. ” SP