Maimaitiyiming Maimaitirouzi, Hajib of the New Akeya Mosque of Kezile'agen villege, Bayinkuluti township, Wuqia county, Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, speaks at a news conference on March 9, 2021. [Photo/Tianshannet]

Rumor: Xinjiang suppresses the religious beliefs of local Muslims.

Fact:

This is a shameful fabrication and malicious smear.

In fact, in recent years, the conditions of religious sites have been greatly improved.

"The New Akeya Mosque, where I have been serving, was built in 1998 and villagers from all around come here to do religious service. Now the mosque has air conditioning when it's hot and has heating when it's cold. It also has a flushing toilet and a bathroom for religious cleaning. The conditions are very good," said Maimaitiyiming Maimaitirouzi, hajib of the New Akeya Mosque of Kezile'agen village, Bayinkuluti township, Wuqia county, Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture. "The religious people in our village carry out normal religious activities in mosques and in their own homes according to their own wishes, without any interference or restriction."

The options for Muslims to learn and practice their religion are many. They can study in mosques, religious institutions, or through reading religious classics, magazines and online learning.

"I studied in Xinjiang Islamic Institute for five years. During my study on campus, I learned some religious knowledge, including Koran chanting and Islamic doctrines and rituals. In my spare time, I also read a large number of Islamic classics, mastering religious learning and acquiring the ability to serve the religious masses," Maimaitiyiming said. "Now, every Sunday and on the 'two festivals', I give lectures to Muslims, explaining the Scriptures and teaching Islamic knowledge."

The Xinjiang Islamic Affair Steering Committee has managed the translation and publication of religious classics in four languages - Chinese, Uygur, Kazak, and Kirgiz. These works include essentials such as The Koran, which makes it convenient for Muslims to learn.

"Truth can not turn into lies, and vice-versa. Here I would like to say if what the overseas media said were true, could the conditions of our mosque be so good? Could we Muslims carry out religious activities normally? Could I study at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute? Those overseas media are just slandering, spreading rumors and stirring up enmity. Their lies can't deceive others. We can see clearly their plot to disrupt Xinjiang," Maimaitiyiming said.