Daily Times

The US House of Representatives recently passed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019. It is a harsh piece of legislation, which deliberately smears the human rights condition in Xinjiang, slanders China’s efforts in de-radicalization and counter-terrorism and viciously attacks the Chinese government’s Xinjiang policy. Another country’s ratification of such a resolution seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs. Little surprise that China has expressed serious reservations at the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019.

Personally, this news shocked me because the Xinjiang I know for the last 45 years and have been visiting regularly, is full of history, beckoning tourists and known for its hospitality. It is true that Muslim extremists were incited by foreign terrorists and some western media gave biased reports on Xinjiang when the Chinese government adopted concrete measures to deal with the issue. But I am a witness that the pragmatic steps adopted by China to curb extremism and eradicate the scourge of terrorism, have borne fruit.

My first visit to the capital of China’s largest province was in 1974, when Urumqi was underdeveloped. The memories of my maiden visit when I was a mere Second Lieutenant in the Pakistan Air Force are deeply etched in my memory. As we alighted from our military aircraft at Urumqi, a group of Chinese labourers who were working on the side of the runway, lined up beside the gangway and burst into welcome slogans. We were neither VIPs nor senior officers, but the welcome displayed by these ordinary Chinese was so heartwarming that I still feel its geniality.

We made frequent trips those days and one Friday we went to a mosque in Urumqi to offer our prayers. Even in those early days, when Chairman Mao was alive, there were no restrictions and Muslims in the mosque greeted us warmly. I have followed the developments on subsequent trips.

During my visit to Urumqi last Ramadan, I found Muslims there praying and fasting contrary to western propaganda.

At the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, which was established 28 years ago, I had a long discussion with renowned Muslim Scholar AdudulrekepTumniaz who is the President of the Institute. Being an erudite academic, his views regarding Islamic as well as the Chinese Communist Party were very enlightening. I had visited the Institute earlier but a tour of the new campus with modern class rooms, an impressive mosque, well equipped library, cozy dormitories and state-of-the-art sports facilities was a pleasant surprise. The new campus of Xinjiang Islamic Institute, which was completed in 2017, can compete with any modern western university.

During discussions with various scholars, I learnt that the Chinese Constitution ensures freedom of religion and Islam is no exception, however, western critics and detractors of China have been spreading rumours about the practice of Islam being curtailed. Extremists have been distorting the tenets of Islam, quoting verses out of context and leading the faithful astray with their particular brand of religion to fulfil their heinous designs. Thus, it was refreshing to learn that the Islamic Institute has picked up the cudgel to produce religious teachers who can become Imams in various mosques and University teachers to guide the faithful and protect them from extremism.

Chinese Constitution ensures freedom of religion and Islam is no exception, however, western critics and detractors of China have been spreading rumours about the practice of Islam being curtailed

This July, the Chinese government invited scholars from France, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand to visit Xinjiang. It was an honour for me to represent Pakistan. We discussed the Uighur question with international academics as well as gauge the realistic situation. A seminar with renowned Chinese experts from Xinjiang University and Academy of Sciences was very informative as it highlighted the extent of the threat and the various steps the Chinese government has taken to protect the citizens from the three evils of extremism, terrorism and separatism. We discovered that at the “reeducationcenters” minor offenders are offered the chance to redeem themselves are not the so-called “torture cells”.

A visit to the “Xinjiang Exhibition on Major Incidents of Violent Terrorist Attacks” was informative highlighting the extent of loss to human lives and property graphically depicted.

Touring the White Mosque in the Uyghur District of Urumqi was like a whiff of fresh air as the Imam informed that prayers, fasting and even Aitekaf during Ramadan is well attended.

A tour of Xinjiang last year and the current visit presented stark contrasts. Previously there was no night life, the sidewalks along commercial centres were fenced, shoppers could only enter through security gates. Because of improved security conditions, the fences have been removed, at night we saw thousands of Chinese of all ages and minority groups dancing in the square. We used the newly installed Urumqi Metro, which is both modern and efficient. These are visible signs of tranquillity returning to Xinjiang; a far cry from the negative propaganda.

The writer is a retired Group Captain of PAF. He is a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host