Religious Freedom Day

Freedom of religion is a basic human right that protects the very existence of different kinds of people around the world. It shapes who we are as people. But tragically, this freedom is being taken away from the Uyghur Muslims.

Who are the Uyghurs in Xinjiang?

Xinjiang was recognised as an East Turkestan state in the 18^th Century; the region was historically Muslim ruled with a Muslim majority, but its independence was short-lived up until 1949, when Xinjiang officially became part of communist China.

The Xinjiang regiosits on the bordeof 8 countries - Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India – and up until recently the majority of the population consisted of Uyghur Muslims.

So, what’s changed? Why are the Uyghur Muslims being persecuted? And why is there a Xinjiang conflict with Communist China?

So many questions, yet the mainstream media doesn’t give us the answers.

Carry on reading to find out how Muslim minorities are being forced to give up a part of their identity and forced to leave their religion, Islam.

Uyghur Camps – What is happening?
 

Uyghur activists have reported that there are nearly 500 camps run by China, holding over one million Uyghur Muslims, a report by the Chinese Human Rights Defenders even estimates that the figure could be closer to two million. These concentration camps are imprisoning Muslims in Xinjiang and using the means of mental, emotional and physical torture to culturally reprogram the Uyghur Muslims.

The horror stories from within the so called ‘re-education’ camps go from separating family members, to physical torture, rape and even sterilising women so that they can no longer grow the Uyghur Muslim population in China, which is already a Muslim minority.

Imagine sitting with your family one day and playing with your sisters or daughters to the very next day watching them go through extreme torture and being helpless to stop it. Men are forced to watch these vile crimes against humanity in silence and if they cry or speak, they risk losing that family member forever.

Uyghur Muslims – The struggle for Muslim minorities
 

Do you remember sitting in history lessons, learning about the horrific holocaust and saying, 'never again'?

But it is happening again.

More than one million Chinese Muslims are reported as being held in concentration camps across northern China, Xinjiang. The aim of these Uyghur camps is to strip the Chinese Muslim of their identity and freedom.

Their crime? Being Muslim, and wanting to practice their religion freely and openly. The Chinese Muslims are having to secretly perform their daily Salahs, to move away from the Sunnah of keeping a beard and women are having to abandon the Hijab, in order to survive another day of living without the risk of imprisonment.

Many say the crimes against the Uygur Muslims amount to the largest genocide since the Holocaust and we all know how terrible that was.

Do we want our next generations to learn about this and ask why we did nothing?

What can you do this Religious Freedom Day?

This Religious Freedom Day, help spread awareness about these horrific crimes being committed against the Uyghur Muslims and support those who have fled to Turkey with the dream of a better, safer life.

These Chinese Muslims have fled to Turkey as refugees, where they do not have to practice their religion secretly with the worry of being imprisoned in concentration camps.

Penny Appeal are working closely with our partners on the ground to provide essentials to families that are seeking refuge in Turkey, so that they can prepare for a better life and not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Penny Appeal are also working to ensure long term provisions are set in place so that the Chinese Muslims can live a comfortable, happy and safe life in Turkey.

You have the power to support this cause and give the Uyghur Muslims a second chance at living a happier life.

This Religious Freedom Day let’s think about the less fortunate, do a good deed and raise awareness for the voiceless Muslim minorities who are suffering in silence.