China: Ethnic Uyghur Christians arrested
Feb 19 2008
Postings >> China

The recent arrests of ethnic Uyghur Christians have aroused suspicions that the Chinese authorities are waging a concerted campaign against them.

State security officials recently detained Alimjan Yimit, a Christian house church leader in Xinjiang province in north-west China, on suspicion of 'criminal activities'. Specific details of the charges against him are unknown.

Last September Alimjan's food company was forcibly shut down amid accusations that he was using it as a cover for 'preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity'.

Alimjan's arrest follows that of Osman Imin, a charismatic Uyghur church leader also from Xinjiang, arrested in November. Osman was sentenced to two years' 're-education through labour' for 'revealing state secrets'. Local sources believe his conviction is in fact punishment for his work with the church. He had previously been arrested and tortured in 2004 on suspicion of collaborating with foreigners in 'illegal religious activities'.

Two other Uyghur Christians – in Urumqi and Kashgar cities – have also been detained in recent weeks. A local source told Compass Direct that the spate of arrests is viewed as part of a 'concerted effort to shut down the leadership of the Uyghur church'. 'It's a small church but growing beyond the ability of the local government to control,' he said. 'They fear anything they cannot control.'

Praise God for the growth of the Uyghur church. Most Uyghurs practise Islam.
Pray for the immediate release of all four Uyghurs detained recently in Xinjiang.