An Uighur Chinese man was arrested for wearing a long beard and sentenced to six years in prison. His wife was also sentenced to two years for wearing a veil.
Photo– An Uighur Man.
Chinese authorities often discourage the local Uighur customs.
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The man who started his long beard in 2010, was accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. A vague charge, deliberately used to discriminate against the minority Uighur people of China, who are Muslims.
World Uyghur Congress stated: “It is unacceptable and absurd. It exposes China’s hostile attitude and crisis of governance”.
Daily Star reports:
His wife was given two years jail time for wearing a veil – a custom also discouraged by local authorities.
Both practices are associated with extremist ideas in China.
The decision has been slammed as “absurd” by critics.
Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the exile World Uyghur Congress, said: “This is a case that would not happen in any other country in the world. “It is unacceptable and absurd. It exposes China’s hostile attitude and crisis of governance.”
He added: “If a Chinese person grows a beard, it is a personal fashion he is allowed to choose freely. If a Uighur grows a beard, he is a religious extremist.”
The Uighur people are Muslims and have had a long history of discord with China’s authorities.
The case ignited debate on many of China’s popular social network sites but has since been deleted on mainland news websites.
Edmondo Burr
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