Chinese government bans Ramadan fasting for schools and civil servants

Chinese government bans Ramadan fasting for schools and civil servants
(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Beijing has banned Xinjiang officials and schools from participating in Ramadan fasting and religious activities.

Students, teachers, and civil servants in the Xinjiang province, which is predominantly populated by Muslim Uighurs, are barred from participating in the Muslim holy month, reports the South China Morning Post.

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"We remind everyone that they are not permitted to observe a Ramadan fast," the state-run Bozhou Radio and TV University said on its website. Other government agencies' websites reported similar statements. The South China Morning Post also reports that authorities inspected Uighur homes to ensure the fast was not being observed.

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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.