Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 20, 2026
Contact@Uyghurstudy.org
The Center for Uyghur Studies (CUS) extends its warmest greetings to Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr 1447/2026. Eid is a time of joy, gratitude, and reflection following the holy month of Ramadan, when families and communities come together to celebrate faith, compassion, and generosity. As Muslims mark this blessed occasion, CUS wishes peace and happiness to Muslims around the world.
At the same time, this Eid arrives as millions of Uyghur Muslims in East Turkistan (AKA Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) continue to face severe restrictions on their religious and cultural life under the repressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For Uyghur families, the ability to freely observe religious traditions remains deeply constrained, and countless families remain separated due to CCP’s arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and forced labor programs.
This year’s Ramadan once again highlighted the CCP’s religious persecution of Uyghur Muslims. Reports and images circulating on Chinese social media suggested that authorities continued to closely monitor religious activities, with Uyghurs reportedly encouraged or required to participate in daytime gatherings during Ramadan. Such practices contrast sharply with the traditional observance of Ramadan by Uyghur Muslims and reinforce concerns that religious life in the region remains under tight state control.
Recent developments further highlight these concerns. China’s National People’s Congress has approved a new “Ethnic Unity” law, set to take effect on July 1, which authorities claim “will promote national cohesion”. However, its broad provisions further enable the criminalization of Uyghur cultural and religious expression, deepening existing repression. This law effectively provides an expanded legal framework to justify ongoing policies of assimilation and repression.
Executive Director Abdulhakim Idris said,“Eid is meant to be a celebration of faith, freedom, and community. Yet for Uyghur Muslims, even the most basic religious practices such as fasting during Ramadan or attending the mosque have become sources of risk for Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Turkic Muslims. There are also reports of Uyghur Muslims being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol. As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid, we must not forget those who remain unable to practice their faith freely.”
The Center for Uyghur Studies calls on governments, civil society organizations, and Muslim communities worldwide to continue raising awareness about the ongoing repression of Uyghur Muslims and to support efforts aimed at protecting their religious freedom and human rights. As the global Muslim community celebrates Eid, CUS urges renewed solidarity with the Uyghur people and continued advocacy for justice, dignity, and freedom of belief.
Copyright Center for Uyghur Studies - All Rights Reserved