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Uyghur people

A woman pushes at Chinese paramilitary police wearing riot gear as a crowd of angry locals confront security forces on a street in the city of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region on July 7, 2009.

How China squeezes its Uighur minority — and how they’re fighting back

Conflict

China says it’s trying to modernize Xinjiang, the region in far western China that’s home to the Muslim Uighur minority. It also claims Uighurs may be training with ISIS militants in the Middle East, but locals say its all part of a fear campaign to stamp out their culture and religion.

A local woman on a crutch shouts at Chinese paramilitary police as a crowd of angry locals confront security forces on a street in the city of Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region in 2009.

A Chinese city plans to ban Muslim clothing — to fight terrorism

Conflict
People look on at a street cordoned off by police after Thursday's blast in a market in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, in western China.

Why is Xinjiang such a problem for China?

Global Politics
Payzulla Polat

Here’s how a Uighur musician was inspired to bring his culture and food to the streets of Boston

Arts, Culture & Media
Payzulla Polat

Here’s how a Uighur musician was inspired to bring his culture and food to the streets of Boston

Arts, Culture & Media
People light candles outside the Kunming railway station after a weekend knife attack that killed 29 people.

A shocking knife attack in China leads to comparisons with 9/11

Conflict & Justice

China’s official news media is blaming ‘separatists’ from Xinjiang for a vicious knife attack that killed 29 people in the city of Kunming over the weekend. The incident could represent an unprecedented escalation in the long-running feud.

People light candles outside the Kunming railway station after a weekend knife attack that killed 29 people.

A shocking knife attack in China leads to comparisons with 9/11

Conflict & Justice

China’s official news media is blaming ‘separatists’ from Xinjiang for a vicious knife attack that killed 29 people in the city of Kunming over the weekend. The incident could represent an unprecedented escalation in the long-running feud.

Guzailai Nu'er, the wife of Ilham Tohti, looks out the window of her house in Beijing as she does an interview over the phone with Reuters on January 17, 2014. Nu'er has been prevented from leaving by Chinese police.

Recent arrests show China taking a harder line on all forms of dissent

China has detained a prominent advocate for the Uighur ethnic minority in far western Xinjiang. The State Department has expressed its concern over the arrest of Ilham Tohti. The Chinese government is also cracking down on a group of anti-corruption activists called the “New Citizens Movement.”

China holds exhibition to ease Turkish concerns over treatment of ethnic Uygurs

Lifestyle & Belief

Chinese Muslims, all 23 million of them, say it can be hard practicing their faith in China. Particularly for ethnic Uygurs, there is long-running discrimination that many Uygurs say endangers their cultural existence.

Are Your Students Sleep-Deprived?

A new international study concludes that western countries have the most sleep-deprived children. Parents and teachers: Have you found that your students’ lack of sleep correlates to their performance in the classroom?