World Uyghur Congress, 21 May 2018

In April 2017, the Chinese government implemented a raft of restrictive measures targeting religious freedom, including banning Uyghur men from growing long or “abnormal” beards and Uyghur women from wearing Islamic veils.

Similar bans have been enacted intermittently in recent years, such as measures reportedly implemented  in 2010 and 2014. However, the new restrictions put in place in April 2017 were formally adopted into Chinese law after being passed by the regional government and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Growing long beards and wearing Islamic veils has important religious and cultural significance for the Uyghur people. It is a peaceful expression of religious sentiment and a personal decision as to how one dresses and grooms themselves, not something that should be subjected to restrictions and bans by the state.