CAIR Condemns 17-Year Sentence for Uyghur Woman Teaching Quran
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned the sentencing of Seylihan Rozi, a 49-year-old Uyghur Muslim woman in China, to 17 years in prison for teaching her children and a neighbor verses from the Quran, the organization’s website reported.
The Chinese government charged her with “illegal underground religious activity” for her actions, which included teaching verses recited during prayers. A local official from Bulaqsu Township confirmed the sentence, highlighting the ongoing repression of religious practices among Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., called on the United Nations to take action to defend religious rights in China. In a statement, CAIR expressed outrage, stating, “We condemn this shocking arrest and sentencing for a woman who was merely exercising basic religious rights that should be available to anyone of any faith worldwide.”
This incident follows CAIR’s previous condemnations of similar cases, including the re-sentencing of another Uyghur woman to 14 years for teaching the Quran to teenagers. Human rights groups have reported that Chinese authorities frequently punish Uyghurs for their religious practices. CAIR has also welcomed recent trade restrictions on Chinese firms involved in human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of religious freedoms.
