Muslims in Xinjiang observed Ramazan with religious fervour

As Ramadan has ended, researchers from Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences recently concluded a tour of the region to look into local Muslims' life during the holy month. "It's been a very peaceful and harmonious Ramazan for Muslims. We should help the world understand the respect Chinese policies offer to ethnic minority groups and their religions," said Tomur Tursun, party secretary of the Academy.
The government of the autonomous region made it clear before Ramazan that authorities should fully understand, respect and show consideration toward Islam, said Ma Pinyan, a researcher of the Academy. "Many shops around the mosques have been providing those who fast in the day with free fruit, desserts and meal," said Eli Hupur, another researcher of the Academy who studies ethnic culture.
"The streets were busy even at midnight. On the brightly lit streets, we saw people on their way to visit their families and vendors selling fruit," he said. Fasting was widely observed by Xinjiang's ethnic minorities including Hui, Uygur, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik and Kyrgyz. Xinjiang has over 10 million Muslims and more than 20,000 mosques.
Imam of a mosque in the regional capital of Urumqi, said, the mosque usually receives 1,200 visitors daily, but during Ramazan the number has risen to over 3,000. Muslims from outside China are also feeling the peace of Ramazan in Xinjiang. At the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a dozen Turkish businessmen are selling specialties such as food, clothing, accessories and carpets.
Cihan Aydogmus, 38, has lived in Xinjiang for more than 10 years. He owns two carpet factories, one in Istanbul and the other in Kashgar. He is married to a Uygur woman and has two children. "My wife is fasting, but I am not since I have been too busy with my business. People here decide by themselves whether to fast and whether to go to the mosque based on their own situations, without interference from others," he said.
"It is untrue that Ramazan in Xinjiang has restrictions. What I see here is a free and easy atmosphere," he said. "Ten years ago, the living conditions in Istanbul and Urumqi differed greatly, but now people in Urumqi are better off and life here is no different from that in Istanbul, so I have decided to continue seeking my fortune here," he added.