China has Redefined Extremism: China has Detained Millions of Uighurs Muslims and Islamic Leaders Don’t Care

The world has a tendency of turning a blind eye to disasters until it's too late. China has been conducting a large-scale ethnic cleansing campaign against its Uighurs Muslim minority and no government or a leader is batting an eyelid.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reported that around one million Uighur Muslims are detained and persecuted in internment camps in Xinjiang - the autonomous region in north-western China.  

China thinks Islam is a “disease” and Chinese authorities are detaining anyone who is showing any adherence to Islam be it fasting during Ramzan, praying, keeping a long beard, abstaining from alcohol or pork and wearing Islamic clothing such as hijab or refusing to watch state TV.

Uighur Muslims are being kidnapped and confined to internment camps in China.

The Endless Scrutiny

The scale of China's human rights abuse is staggering. Xinjiang has been converted into some Nazi style mass concentration camp and high security zone with endless checkpoints, facial-recognition systems fitted in all the nooks and crannies of the streets to identify Uighurs.

At least one in every 10 Uighur Muslim living in Xinjiang is being kidnapped and confined to internment camps. It’s shocking and disturbing that family members and friends of Uighur Muslim community are also being lodged in concentration camps for no other crime but practising a faith – Islam.

Inside the overcrowded “re-education” camps, the detainees are being treated as if they suffer from some mental illness and regarded as the “enemies of the state”. They are ordered to learn and sing Communist Party anthems and slogans under threat of dire punishment otherwise. Held without charge; the detainees have no access to any legal representation at all or recourse to the outside world.

Who Are the Uighurs?

Uighur Muslims belong to Turkic ethnic group who inhabit Xinjiang; an autonomous region in northwest China which is home to approximately 10 million Uighur Muslims. What many people don’t know is that Xinjiang was earlier known as East Turkistan. Lesser known fact is that East Turkistan was annexed by the communist China in 1949 because of its natural resources and renamed Xinjiang (which means “New Territory”). And it remains under its authoritarian control till this day.

Uighurs practice Islam and their culture is poles apart from Chinese. Ethnically they resemble their Central Asian neighbours such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. No wonder, communist China wants to eradicate their distinct ethno-religious identity

The Shocking Silence of the Islamic World

The atrocities on millions of Uighurs is shocking. What is however much more baffling is the silence of the Islamic world and the countries that champion human rights.

However, international media has now begun to raise questions about the treatment meted out to Uighurs. And yet, there are 49 Muslim-majority countries and not even one of them has condemned the persecution of 12 million Uyghur Muslims. Not even one!

One prime reason that comes to mind regarding the studied silence is probably China’s position as a strong economic power. China has strong trade ties with various Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia and enjoys tremendous political clout over various governments.  

Apparently, trade ties between China and the Arab world are perhaps way more important than standing up for Uighurs minority?

Silence is NOT always Golden!

The true believers and followers of Islam should know what the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has taught in the Holy Quran.

“And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?" ~ Quran 4:75

While Islamic leaders and religious scholars quote Quranic verses at every occasion; they have forgotten the true essence and real message of Allah (SWT) which is to help the oppressed and fight injustice and evil. As Uighur Muslim community is persecuted in China; it becomes obligatory not just for Muslims but for all the liberals and right thinking people to speak up for them and save innocent lives.

Allah (SWT) commands Muslims in the Holy Quran: “Hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.” ~ Quran 3:103