China Bans Abnormal Facial Hair, Veils In Xinjiang Province

To curb extremism and radicalization China has announced a ban on “abnormal” facial hair and veils in public places in its predominantly Muslim Xinjiang province that borders Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Local authorities released a statement saying the new rules will be effective from Saturday.

On the official website the authorities further writes good moral conduct should be used by parents to influence the children, educate them to revere science, uphold ethnic unity, pursue culture and refuse extremism.

The statement continues saying parents should prohibit to homeschool the children and naming of children to exaggerate religious fervor is banned too.

It is yet to learn how the regulation would be enforced and part of it also adds that refuse or rejection to watching state television or radio will be an offense.

The Chinese government security forces clash with Islamist militants regularly in the region and the Muslim Uighur people driven by separatist sentiments are always at unrest. Over the past years hundreds of people have been killed. These have prompted the authorities to enforce the ban.

Critics claim crackdown on the Muslims is the result of armed clashes and terrorist attacks.

For years the separatist Uighur militant group has been striving for an independent East Turkestan.