Angry Uygur students condemn Xinjiang terrorists
Print Edition
A LETTER signed by 11 Uygur university students and graduates condemning a deadly terror attack at Urumqi South Railway Station in Xinjiang has been widely praised.
In the letter, published online, the students spoke of their grief, their anger and their resolution to denounce terrorism.
“Silence is a kind of acquiescence with the terrorists,” said Merdan Weli, a Xinjiang University postgraduate who raised the idea of the letter with his Uygur friends.
Merdan was at a restaurant last Wednesday two blocks away from the train station in the capital city of Xinjiang when two men wielding knives attacked people and set off explosives. Three people died, including the two terrorists, and dozens were injured.
Merdan said terrorists were damaging the reputation of the Xinjiang people. “We had to do something,” he said.
Merdan discussed what should be in the letter with friends online.
Kurbanjan Weli, a North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power graduate now teaching Chinese in Urumqi, was the chief writer of the letter that posed several questions to the terrorists.
“Murderers, what do you want? You said you want respect and rights, but can’t you see the mosque beside the bombing site? It is a place for serenity and peace. Have you got the slightest faith in religion? You tried to kill innocent people, regardless male or female, young or old — why the hatred toward them?”
The letter continued: “What have you got? Ending others’ lives and getting a pair of bloody hands? It’s a sin!”
The letter ended by saying: “Our enemies want to break our unity and solidarity because they are afraid of our unity. No more silence, let’s stand together and crush them.”
Many Internet users, some of whom had been debating whether it is still safe to travel and do business in Xinjiang, said the letter had changed their perceptions.
“The letter reflects the true voice of the Uygur people, most of whom are kind and generous like the rest of us. A small handful of evil doers do not represent the general good,” commented Dong Jianbin from Beijing.
During his recent visit to Xinjiang, President Xi Jinping stressed that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are “our brothers and sisters,” and religious extremists and terrorists are “our common enemies.”
“We should bring our true hearts to our brothers and sisters while striking our common enemies with sharp and relentless efforts,” Xi said.
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