Ramadan, or Ramzan, is a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion for Muslims. To mark Ramadan, Muslims across the world will keep Roza, a holy fast from sunrise to sunset. While Muslims across the world would keep fast (Roza), the Uighur Muslims, in Xinjiang, were not allowed to take part in fasting. China has put a ban on civil servants, students and children in a mainly-Muslim region of Xinjiang from taking part in fasting. China's ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority.

 

 

 

 

 

China has ordered restaurants to stay open, especially in Xinjiang. This region has reported regular conflicts between state security forces and Uighurs. Beijing has blamed deadly attacks there and elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region. The state Food and Drug Administration in Xinjiang's Jinghe county has put up a notice on its website that reads as "Foodservice workplaces will operate normal hours during Ramadan". The officials in this region were told that "During Ramadan do not engage in fasting, vigils or other religious activities".

 

 

 

This is not the first time that ban on Ramzan is imposed but such bans are put every year in Xinjiang region.