The Centre for Uyghur Studies has accused China of restricting Eid celebration in Xinjiang, historically known as East Turkistan.

"The Muslims in #EastTurkistan have been celebrating this festive occasion for a thousand years, together with the global Muslim community. The Eid has always reminded the Uyghur Muslims that they are a part of the Muslim Ummah," the organisation said in X.

"However, the Uyghur Muslims – who have been preserving their Islamic identity even under the Chinese occupation for 70 years – are now facing the genocide of the Chinese regime. Since 2017, the Chinese regime has declared an all out war on Islam in East Turkistan, criminalizing all Islamic practices and banning religious festivals including the two Eids. #ChinasWaronIslam," the post said.

Who are Uyghur Muslims?

Uyghur Muslims are a Turkic minority ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia.

The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.