China bans long beards, full-face veils in western region of Xinjiang

China has banned long beards and face covering veils in the western region of Xinjiang which is home to around 10 million Uighur Muslims.

China has banned long beards and face covering veils in the western region of Xinjiang which is home to around 10 million Uighur Muslims.

The new measures, which came into effect on Saturday, put restrictions on refusing “radio, television or other public facilities and services,” marrying using religious ceremonies, home schooling of children, and “naming of children to exaggerate religious fervor.”

“They’re doubling down on security in Xinjiang,” said James Leibold, an associate professor at Australia’s Le Trobe University, who has done extensive research on the Muslim minority.

China claims that new regulations are required to battle “extremism” but rights groups have referred to such restrictions as being repressive.

Over the past few years, Xinjiang has been the scene of clashes which China blames on the Uyghurs who in turn claim they face cultural and religious repression and discrimination.