CFU Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 8 2022, 12:30 PM
Rushan Abbas: rushan@campaignforuyghurs.org, (559) 375-3571
campaignforuyghurs.org
Eid Mubarak from everyone here at Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) to all our Muslim brothers and sisters on this holiday. This moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on faith and on our movement with deep gratitude. Today marks a celebration among Muslims around the world in honor of the Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah. In the midst of the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people, a similar faith offers us some encouragement.
Faith is defined not only by our internal recognitions, but also by how we shape the world around us. It is important that we remember our brothers and sisters in East Turkistan who are suffering under the heavy shackles of the CCP on this holy day. With China’s war on faith, Islam has been declared illegal, mosques have been destroyed, cultures have been shredded, and Uyghurs face total annihilation. In a similar fashion to how Prophet Ibrahim had to rise to the test set before him, we must rise to the occasion today. We must ensure that the Uyghurs can celebrate this day with us without hindrance.
During the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2022 held in Washington, DC, the CFU team worked alongside activists to highlight religious freedom. Religious tolerance and respect are not waning ideals, but remain strong concepts. As a result, we look forward to an international response leading the charge to establish them in the Uyghur cause.
Executive Director Rushan Abbas today said “Eid al-Adha Mubarak, from all of us here at Campaign for Uyghurs, to your family. Let’s use today as a time of reflection and prayer, to discover how we all can make our world a better place. I am heartbroken that another year will pass without a joyous day for Uyghur Muslims. Seeing that millions of Muslims have their very identity criminalized darkens the skies of celebration for me. The Uyghur genocide is China’s war against Islam. It is the duty of each and every Muslim to defend their faith and hold China accountable. Those who rightfully stand up against Islamophobia in various parts of the world should increasingly join our fight to stand up against the Chinese regime.”
Our efforts should be directed toward ensuring this world is a world worthy of inheritance for those who come after us. During Eid, please keep those who cannot rejoice with you in mind as you celebrate with family and friends. Pray for Uyghur families that have been separated, unable to know how their loved ones are or where they are. There can be no true joy in this world until all individuals are free to practice their faith and can live without fear of genocide.
