The Chinese government has banned dozens of Muslim baby names in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.

Names such as Islam, Quran, Mecca, Jihad, Imam, Saddam, Hajj, and Medina have been banned, RFA said, citing a Chinese Communist Party document titled 'Naming Rules for Ethnic Minorities'.

"[People with banned names] won't be able to get a household registration," a police official from Urumqi, Xinjiang, was quoted as saying.

Home to Uighur Muslims, Xinjiang has been at the center of the Chinese government's drive to combat 'extremism'.

Explore: China restricts Ramazan fasting in Xinjiang

Various rights groups have blamed the ruling Chinese Communist Party for infringing upon its population's right to religious freedom; however, the Chinese government has rejected allegations of abuse.

Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the exiled World Uyghur Congress group, while speaking to RFA, said the Chinese government is continuing to suppress traditional Uyghur culture by controlling what Uyghurs can call their children.

"In setting limits on the naming of Uyghurs, the Chinese government is in fact engaging in political persecution under another guise," he said, adding; "They are afraid that people with such names will become alienated from Chinese policies in the region."

The move to ban certain 'over-the-top' Muslim names in Xinjiang is being seen as a consequence of China's top legislative body announcing a set of 50 regulations to combat extremism last month.

It was reported earlier this month that restrictions on Xinjiang's Muslims had expanded to include a prohibition on wearing veils in public places and refusal to watch state television.

In a press release issued by the Chinese director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Sophie Richardson criticised the government's crackdown on Xinjiang's Muslims, stating that "the government’s farcically repressive policies and punishments are hardly solutions. Instead, they are only going to deepen resentment among Uyghurs.”

“If the government is serious about bringing stability and harmony to the region as it claims, it should roll back — not double down on — repressive policies,” she said.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...