Channel News Asia, 2 March 2015

Asia Pacific Division – One low-cost housing neighbourhood in Kunming used to be home to hundreds of Uighur Muslims from Xinjiang. But now, residents say landlords have stopped leasing homes to ethnic minorities a year ago after a group of Uighur Muslims attacked and killed 29 people at Kunming train station, adding that fewer than 50 remain.

One of those who have managed to stay on is 33-year-old Mr Abdul Karim. An Uighur Muslim from Urumuqi in Xinjiang, he moved to Kunming more than a year ago to help out at his family’s restaurant.

Mr Karim said: “We are all Chinese nationals. We come here to do business and it is easier to do business here.”

Another Uighur Muslim who lived in the area is 54-year-old Baharguli, also from Xinjiang. The retiree, who rents an apartment with her son in the area, visits Kunming annually to treat her rheumatism. She said that officials regularly come back to conduct random checks on minority ethnic groups. “It has been quite strict. The train incident has had a bad impact on people from Xinjiang,” said Ms Baharguli.

Han residents in Kunming said they do not socialise much with the Uighurs, claiming that they have difficulties communicating with them.

Mr Musa Jin, president of the Shanghai Islamic Association, said that everyone – from the government to the public – will have to do their part: “I think through policy adjustments, rational reflections and when everyone does their part according to his or her abilities, awareness will eventually be reached.

“The government has to play their part, as well as religious leaders. We must tell Muslims to love the religion, love god and love the country.”

China is expected to pass an anti-terrorism law in the coming weeks, putting in measures and regulations to safeguard the country against terror attacks. But it will take more than just drafting a new law or policy changes to resolve the underlying tension and distrust between the Han Chinese and the Uighur Muslims.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/underlying-tensions-in/1688746.html