Ban on fasting in China!

The Dhaka Times Desk When Ramadan comes, various restrictions come down on the Muslim community in different countries. This time was no exception. A ban on fasting has been issued in China.

According to media reports, a ban on fasting has been issued in China this time as well. Earlier in 2014, police in China's Xinjiang province lathi-charged the minority Muslim Uyghur community demanding freedom to practice their religious rites.

In the holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, the minority Uighur Muslim community in China's Xinjiang province is unable to fast. The government of the province said in an announcement that the Muslims of the Uyghur community will not be able to observe any fast during this holy month of Ramadan - such are the official instructions. Xinjiang authorities said government employees, students and teachers studying in schools, colleges and universities cannot fast. Also, all Muslim-owned restaurants should be kept open. The announcement was published on Chinese government websites last Thursday, the first day of Ramadan.

The announcement published on the official food management website of the area said that 'the environment of hotels, restaurants and food serving places will be maintained normally throughout the month of Ramadan.' Authorities in the Bole area of the same province announced that 'no one can fast during Ramadan or do any other religious activities, including staying awake at night.' The province's state-run Bozhou Radio and Tarfang City's Bureau of Commerce made similar announcements, The Independent reported.

It should be noted that China's Xinjiang province is mainly inhabited by China's minority Uyghur Muslim community. Since 2010, China's ruling communist government has imposed a ban on fasting in some districts of the region and in the province since 2013.