China bans Ramadan fasting in Xinjiang region

Beijing, June 20: China has banned civil servants, students and teachers of Muslim community from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Restaurants have also been ordered to stay open, Al-Jazeera reported.

Muslim community members required to fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan

China's ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has restricted the practice in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority.

"Food service workplaces will operate normal hours during Ramadan," said a notice posted last week on the website of the state Food and Drug Administration in Xinjiang's Jinghe county.

Officials in the region's Bole county were told: "During Ramadan do not engage in fasting, vigils or other religious activities," according to a local government website report of a meeting this week.

Each year, the authorities' attempt to ban fasting among Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang receives widespread criticism from rights groups.

OneIndia News