URUMQI – President, China Islamic Association, Abdul Raqib has said thatMuslims from Uygur and other ethnic groups were enjoying complete religiousfreedom and living in harmony in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of Chinaas the constitution and law of the land protected rights of the people withreligious beliefs.“The Chinese government always protects freedom of religious beliefs ofpeople in Xinjiang as well as other parts of the country while theconstitution and regulations relating to religious affairs protect rightsof the people with religious beliefs,” he said while talking to APPCorrespondent who visited several mosques, and vocational education andtraining centers in Urumqi, Kashgar and Hotan in Xinjiang along with agroup of foreign journalists.He informed there were over 24,000 mosques in Xinjiang and all the Muslimswere free to offer five times prayers and recite Holy Quran besidesobserving fasting in the month of Ramazan.Abdul Raqib, also head of Islamic Institute in Urumqi said, the institutespread over 150 acres had a history of 32 years and accommodated over 1,500students.
He said the religious classes were started in the year 2014 and at present,the students were studying religion, politics and common national language.In the religious classes, the students were studying the Quran, Hadith andother Islamic teachings.“We provide scholarships, accommodation, and food to students and awarddiplomas and certificates upon completion of their courses,” he added.He said around 238 professional clerics were also enrolled for training andthey would be sent to other mosques to perform religious duties.About duration of courses, he informed the institute had organizedshort-term courses as well as a five-year-long graduation program.About spread of extremism, he said it was because of multiple factors andthe government had made a series of measures including vocational educationand poverty alleviation programmes to get the people involved in terrorismand extremism back to their normal life.In Kashgar, Imam of historical Etigar Mosque, Muhamit Juma said the Muslimswere enjoying religious freedom and performing their religious obligationswithout any fear.He informed the mosque was built in the 15th century and recently renovatedwith the financial assistance from the provincial government.The imam said the five prayers, as well as Juma prayer, were held at themosque, the largest in the city.He informed his father, the grand imam of the mosque, was killed by theterrorists in the year 2014 and after then necessary arrangements were madefor the security of people coming to offer prayers.
In Hotan, Imam of Jamia Mosque, Abul Hassan also shared that all theMuslims in the city were enjoying the freedom of religious beliefs.He said the local government also provided financial assistance for day today needs and renovation of the mosque. More than 2,000 faithful attendJuma congregation.Muslims were free to offer daily prayers and observe fasting in Ramazanwhile Halal meat was available all across the province. – APP
