Uyghur Muslims and Pakistan’s Responsibility

Friendship With China Must Include Concern for Muslim Rights

The Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang possess a distinct history, language, culture and Islamic identity. Reports concerning restrictions on religious practice, mass detention, surveillance, family separation, forced labour and cultural assimilation have caused profound concern throughout the Muslim world.

Jamaat-e-Islami believes that neither geopolitical rivalry nor economic dependence should determine the Muslim response. Western powers must not be allowed to exploit the Uyghur issue as a weapon against China while ignoring Palestine and Kashmir. At the same time, friendship with China cannot require silence about credible concerns affecting Muslim religious and human rights.

Pakistan and China have a deep strategic relationship. 

China has supported Pakistan at important moments, while Pakistan was among the earliest Muslim countries to recognise the People’s Republic. This friendship should create space for honest discussion rather than prevent it.

Jamaat’s Approach

Jamaat’s leadership has raised the condition of Uyghur Muslims during meetings with Chinese officials and representatives. The emphasis has been on better treatment, protection of religious practice, family unity and access to reliable information.

Jamaat does not support terrorism, separatist violence or the use of Pakistani territory against China. It equally rejects collective punishment, forced assimilation and the treatment of religious identity as a security offence.

A principled approach should demand:

• Freedom to offer prayer, fast, maintain mosques and teach the Qur’an.
• Protection of Uyghur language, family life and cultural identity.
• Release or fair trial of persons held without credible criminal charges.
• An end to forced separation of children and parents.
• Independent investigation of allegations of forced labour and coercive detention.
• Access for credible Muslim scholars, journalists and humanitarian observers.
• Protection for Pakistani citizens whose Uyghur spouses or relatives face separation.
• Dialogue between China and responsible representatives of the Uyghur community.

A Role for Pakistan and the OIC

Pakistan should address the issue through direct and respectful diplomacy. Public hostility that damages Pakistan-China relations will not necessarily help the Uyghurs. Complete silence, however, weakens Pakistan’s moral authority and convinces oppressed Muslims that strategic interests matter more than their dignity.

The OIC should seek an agreed fact-finding and engagement mechanism acceptable to China and capable of speaking independently with affected communities. Its purpose should be improvement, access and reconciliation, not geopolitical confrontation.

Jamaat’s position is balanced but firm: China’s sovereignty and security are legitimate concerns, but security cannot justify the suppression of an entire religious and cultural identity. Genuine friendship requires the courage to speak truth with wisdom and respect.