Full-face Islamic veil banned in China’s Uighur region
Islamic Imam Leads U.S. House of Representatives in Prayer ‘in the Name of Allah

Full-face Islamic veil banned in China’s Uighur region

The capital of China’s western Xinjiang region – home to its Uighur Muslim minority – has banned the wearing of veiled Islamic robes in public amid pressure from Beijing to crack down on religious extremism, the regional government said on Thursday.

According to the official website of the Xinjiang government, the ban was “considered and approved” by the Urumqi parliament’s standing committee.

China is becoming increasingly concerned about Islamist extremism, with experts worried that it may create unrest in the troubled region.

Uighurs – the dominant Muslim minority in Xinjiang – mostly practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam, but recently many have begun taking up practices more commonly followed in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, such as making women wear a full face veil.

Experts say the decision to outlaw the face veil will further stigmatize the minority Uighurs. The capital of China’s western Xinjiang region – home to its Uighur Muslim minority – has banned the wearing of veiled Islamic robes in public amid pressure from Beijing to crack down on religious extremism, the regional government said on Thursday.

According to the official website of the Xinjiang government, the ban was “considered and approved” by the Urumqi parliament’s standing committee.

China is becoming increasingly concerned about Islamist extremism, with experts worried that it may create unrest in the troubled region.

Uighurs – the dominant Muslim minority in Xinjiang – mostly practice a moderate form of Sunni Islam, but recently many have begun taking up practices more commonly followed in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, such as making women wear a full face veil.

Experts say the decision to outlaw the face veil will further stigmatize the minority Uighurs.

The ban would “make the veils more popular as a symbol of resistance and assertion of ethno-national identity,” James Leibold – an expert on China’s ethnic policy from Melbourne’s La Trobe University – told Reuters.

“This fits into the larger pattern, keeping up with the trend in the past five years that has really intensified in the last year by the government to try to forcibly reshape and standardize the type of garment among the Uighur females,” he added, as quoted by AP.

The Uighurs, who speak a Turkic language, have been beset for years by violence which the Beijing government blames on Islamist militants.

The latest announcement comes just one month after Xinjiang banned the practicing of religion in government buildings, as well as wearing clothes or logos associated with religious extremism.

In August, the northern Xinjiang city of Karamay prohibited young men with beards and women in burqas or hijabs from boarding public buses.

Police have also raided women’s dress shops in the province to confiscate full length robes, AP reported.

In 2013, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement – which is listed as a terrorist group by the UN – produced 107 terror-related audio and video materials.

Turkestan is an area of northwest China. It was formed by Uighur militants whose stated aim is independence from China.

In response to the increasing threat, Xinjiang began a one-year campaign against terror-related violence in May, which will last until June 2015.

China is also facing a growing threat from ISIS. In July, Wu Sike, China’s special envoy to the Middle East, said that up to 100 Uighurs from Xinjiang may be fighting alongside the militant group.
Islamic Imam Leads U.S. House of Representatives in Prayer ‘in the Name of Allah

WASHINGTON – An Islamic imam led the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer ‘in the name of Allah’ this week, as those representing the people from states across America stood with their heads bowed and eyes closed.
Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey in Monmouth opened the day on Thursday, being introduced by Speaker John Boehner.
“In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful,” he began. “Praise be to Allah, the cherisher, the sustainer of the world, the most gracious, the most merciful master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship and thine do we seek.”
“Guide us to the safe path,” Chebli continued. “The god of the prophets and the messenger says in the Koran [that] he does not place a responsibility on you greater than you can bear. Everyone will receive the good they have earned and vice versa.” He then asked asked that Allah bless and guide Congress.
“O god, bless us as we begin a new day. Bless this assembly. Bless the people and the nation it represents. O god, at this time in our history, the challenges for our nation and the world are many,” Chebli said.
“O god, grant these men and women the wisdom, the guidance and the strength to pursue compassion, justice and sound judgment. O god, in your wisdom, the guidance and the strength to pursue responsibility and honor.”
O god, please help them with your guidance and your light. O god, improve the well being of all inhabitants of this great nation and beyond,” he continued. “O god, improve the well being of all inhabitants of this great nation and beyond. Amen.”
The prayer was then followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a brief speech by U.S. Representative Rush Holt of New Jersey, who praised Chebli before those gathered.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Imam Chebli,” he said. “He has been both a friend and an ambassador of Islam to me and many others in New Jersey, and we are all honored that his prayer has opened this session of Congress.” Holt, a professing Quaker, then provided the background on the Islamic imam, who is heavily trained in the Muslim religion. “He’s a native of Lebanon and attended one of the most prestigious Islamic institutions in the world, where he received his masters in Islamic cannonical law. He’s been the leader of ISCJ since 1986, where he makes Muslims and non-Muslims feel welcome,” the Democratic representative said. “The depth of his faith and scholarship, his commanding dignity and the warmth of his personality make him the most prominent and attractive figure of Islam in our region.”
“In a period where the public understanding of Islam has grown greatly, we are fortunate to have Imam Chebli in our community. He’s worked hard to build interfaith dialogue and public understanding,” Holt continued. “Most recently, New Jersey’s governor [Republican Chris Christie] appointed him to the governor’s leadership summit on diversity. He and I have a friendship that has lasted many years, especially since September 2001, and I greatly value that friendship.”
“Through is inspiring prayer this morning, we can all gain wisdom and guidance,” he claimed.