Chinese authorities ban fasting in Xinjiang region, Al-Azhar seeks UN response

Cairo's Al-Azhar, the main authority of Sunni Islam, condemned Chinese authorities for banning fasting for officials, students and teachers in the Xinjiang region during the month of Ramadan, where the population is predominantly Muslim, reports France Press, as carried by the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Additionally, Chinese authorities ordered all restaurants to remain open during Ramadan.

As stated in the announcement by Al-Azhar and its Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb, they reject all forms of restricting the right to fast for Muslims in this region, thereby violating their religious rights and freedoms.

We demand that the international community, the United Nations and human rights associations react, the statement says.

The Communist Party in China has been implementing this practice in the Xinjiang region for years, and China claims it is facing terrorist threats and a rise in religious extremism.