China's Xinjiang region is home to a Muslim
majority and the area has been plagued with
religious restiveness in recent years.
As part of the new 'Regulations on Extremization
of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region', the
country has introduced a ban on 'abnormal'
beards and wearing of veils in public places.
Refusal to watch or listen to state media has
also been outlawed. The new rules which come
into effect from April 1 states:
'Parents should use good moral conduct to
influence their children, educate them to revere
science, peruse culture, uphold ethnic unity and
refuse and oppose extremism'.
Workers in public spaces such as stations and
airports will be asked to 'dissuade' those who
fully cover their bodies including veiling their
faces from entering. They will also be required to
report them to the police.
China claims that the legal, cultural and religious
rights of Muslims in Xinjiang are fully protected
but people from the region resent what they
view as increasing restrictions on their culture
and religion. China is home to 1.8 million
Muslims and 10 million of them are from
Xinjiang province
Earlier this month, ISIS released a video
depicting children from Xinjiang training and
listening to preachers. The group has vowed to
return home and 'shed rivers of blood'.