Financial Express – The US today asked China to protect religious freedom and allow citizens to worship freely amid reports that the Communist country had banned fasting in its Muslim-dominated Xinjiang region.

“We call on Chinese authorities to protect freedom of religion and allow citizens to worship freely in accordance with China’s international human rights commitments,” a State Department Spokesperson told PTI when asked about the reported Chinese ban.

“Freedom of religion is critical to a peaceful, inclusive, stable and thriving society,” the spokesperson said.

The American reaction came after reports said that China had banned civil servants, students and teachers in its Muslim-dominated Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan.

The reports said that restaurants were ordered to stay open.

A four member delegation of Pakistan is visiting Xinjiang to “observe” fasting ban in the Muslim-dominated region of China.