Murder of imam condemned
Print Edition
CHINA’S religious authority has condemned the “lunatic” murder of an imam of the country’s largest mosque, urging unity among Muslims.
Jume Tahir, 74, of the Id Kah Mosque in the city of Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was killed just before 7am on Wednesday, after he finished hosting the morning ritual.
His murder has been attributed to religious extremists.
The State Administration for Religious Affairs said yesterday that it was “deeply shocked” by the killing and described Jume Tahir’s death as a “huge loss” to the Muslim community.
In a statement it described him as a knowledgeable and respected religious leader as well as a friend of the Communist Party of China, who supported the leadership and helped the Party and government implement its policies of religious freedom and guide Muslims to carry out religious activities within the law.
“Mobsters killed this virtuous old man and respected religious leader with extremely cruel methods. Their acts were inhuman and outrageous. They will suffer severe punishments by law and the denunciation of Muslims and all people with a conscience,” it added.
The administration called on Muslims in Xinjiang to unite more closely around the Party to oppose religious extremism, fight terrorism and contribute to national unity.
“Such brutality won’t deter patriotic religious figures and vast numbers of worshippers. Justice will eventually prevail over evil,” it added.
Extremists have launched a spate of attacks in recent months. On Monday, dozens of Uygur and Han civilians were killed or injured in an attack by a gang with knives and axes in Kashgar’s Shache County.
On May 22, a terrorist attack on a street market in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, left 31 civilians dead and 94 injured.
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