Today, Explained

A million Muslims detained

May 21, 2021
Randa Abdel Fattah, co-host of NPR's Throughline podcast, dives deep into the historical context of the Uyghur people in China, detailing their struggles against repression. Rob Schmitz, an NPR reporter, shares gripping firsthand accounts of life under surveillance and systemic oppression in Xinjiang. The discussion unveils the harsh realities of forced labor, cultural erasure, and the tragic consequences of a crackdown on Uyghur identity. Together, they shed light on the urgent human rights crisis, emphasizing the resilience and resistance of the Uyghur community.
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ANECDOTE

Arrest for a Song

  • Abdurrahim Hayy's song "Forefathers" honors Uyghur ancestors' sacrifices.
  • He was arrested in 2017 after performing it, allegedly for "violating national laws".
INSIGHT

Uyghur Persecution

  • Uyghurs, a Turkic-speaking Muslim minority in China, face persecution.
  • Over a million have been imprisoned in camps, subjected to torture, forced labor, and sterilization.
ANECDOTE

Mashrup Festival

  • The Mashrup Festival is a vital cultural practice for the Uyghur community.
  • It symbolizes their resilience in preserving traditions despite pressure to assimilate.
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