Iran, China say security of Muslim Uyghurs must be maintained

Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi discussed the recent events in Xinjiang on Sunday and agreed that the security of Muslims in China must be maintained.

The two ministers also said any foreign interference meant to destabilize China is unacceptable.

However, Mottaki told Yang that Muslim countries and Islamic centers are concerned about the incident and asked the Chinese foreign minister to inform him about the latest developments in the region.

Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani have condemned the recent killings of Muslims in China and asked the Foreign Ministry to seriously pursue the issue.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi urged the government to not remain silent in the face of the murder of Muslim Uyghurs in China.

“The appalling news about the mass murder and widespread suppression of the Muslims in Xinjiang… is deplored by all Muslims and every liberal person,” part of the statement read.

The crisis began on July 5 when Chinese police severely cracked down on a peaceful demonstration held by Muslims in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Uyghurs said they were protesting against the religious discrimination they experience at the hands of the Chinese government. Over 180 Muslims have been killed in the unrest.

There has been tension between the Muslim Uyghurs and Han Chinese in the region for decades.

“Although the Chinese government has regarded the event as an ethnic conflict, the government’s support for the opposing group, the severe repression of the Muslims, and the closing of their mosques are all signs of a conspiracy against the Muslims of the region,” Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi said.

He added, “Although the Chinese government and people have friendly and close relations with us and other Islamic countries… this does not justify the appalling suppression of our Muslim brothers and sisters in that region while we remain silent.”

He also called on all Muslims throughout the world to condemn the murders and unanimously urge China to end the discrimination and punish the culprits.

“The nation expects the officials of the Islamic Republic not to be silent on the issue and to take a strong stance.”

Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani condemned all violations of Muslims’ rights wherever they occur in the world and asked Muslim states to respond to the violation of Muslims’ rights without any bias.

The ayatollah asked international bodies to set aside their double-standard policies, to not divide people into anti-Western and pro-Western, and to not turn a blind eye toward human rights issues in China.

In a separate statement issued on Sunday, the Qom Seminary Teachers Society expressed regret over the events in Xinjiang.

The statement urged the Beijing government to respect the civil rights of Muslims in China and to stop supporting racist groups.

The Qom Seminary Teachers Society also asked the Iranian Foreign Ministry to seriously pursue the issue through diplomatic channels.

From:http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=198661