By: Ben Meyler | Writer
September 27, 2020
Despite the lack of coverage by the media, Muslims in China are being held in concentration camps and forced to eat pork, drink alcohol, marry non-Muslims, or convert to another religion to escape being murdered. The Uyghur Muslims and other minorities have had to endure mass forced sterilization and abortions, while their children, between ages 3 and 8, are being sent to orphanages; yet these atrocities do not have the publicity they warrant.
This genocide is mainly taking place in Xinjiang, China. The Chinese government has targeted the Muslim faith for years, destroying mosques, confiscating Korans, banning fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and making halal diets forbidden. There is a leaked Chinese Communist Party internal memo of government orders for the measures taken against the Uyghurs with the intent to “break their lineage, break their roots, break their connections, and break their origins.” This persecution is a violation of the natural rights of humanity to life and liberty, and these unjust actions by the Chinese government should be condemned by the global community.
Eating pork and drinking alcohol is strictly against Muslim beliefs, and it is cruel to force them to do such things. Personal religious beliefs that bring no harm to others should be respected. Instead, these concentration camps force Muslims to violate their convictions or be killed. Thousands of innocent Muslims have been murdered due to their religion, the number constantly growing.
“It’s honestly so sad how even in the world today, me and many others have to be ashamed and embarrassed of our religion even when we aren’t affecting others,” junior Donya Nadjie said. “I don’t often like to mention the fact that I’m Muslim because of the judgement that a lot of people put on us.” The judgement and hate placed upon many Muslims—whether it’s life-threatening or just tenuous jokes—are never okay.
Thousands of families have been separated and broken as they are sent to different camps. “It’s like my kids are in jail,” an Uyghur mother said in an BBC News Article. “My four children are separated from me and living like orphans.”
The inability to help the Uyghur Muslims in China is difficult for many. “I hate feeling so helpless hearing about this all and seeing all the images and not being able to help in any way,” junior Magdalena Alexander said. There are many petitions going around, and the most the average student can do to help is to raise awareness about the subject.
These events are showing how history can sadly repeat itself. The Muslims are being persecuted for their religion just as the Jewish were in Germany during the Holocaust. The difference is that the Holocaust is a well-known tragedy while the current situation in China is seldom spoken about. In the concentration camps, detainees are being abused, raped, tortured, and killed. The media is silent. What is happening in China is a genocide, and there must be more coverage of these events in order to raise awareness and global sentiment against these hate crimes.
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