Chinese Muslim officials as well as students under the age of 18 in the restive northwestern region of Xinjiang are not allowed to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, a newspaper reported on Wednesday. In a bid to clamp down on religious extremism, Communist Party leaders posted guidance on numerous government websites restricting Muslim religious activities, including fasting and visiting mosques, the UAE-based newspaper, The National reported. The Chinese central government has also asked officials in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to discourage the local Muslim population to fast, highlighting in particular the health concerns. The ban has led...
