Veiled women. - AFP Photo.

BEIJING: A city district in heavily Muslim western China is trying to tamp down religious fervor by prohibiting people from wearing veils, traditional Arab dress or growing long beards.

The notice from the Dunmaili district of Yining disappeared from the Yining government website Thursday afternoon. It was still available on a state-run news website, though the reason for the discrepancy was uncertain.

Yining is in the Xinjiang region that is home to the traditionally Muslim Uighur ethnic group. Many Uighurs resent Chinese rule and controls on their religion and culture and the region has occasionally seen violent unrest.

The notice said stubborn individuals who refused to give up their veils, Arab dress or long beards should be turned over to judicial departments.