By Uyghur Times Staff
September 6, 2024
SOAS University of London has announced its honorary degree recipients for 2024, recognizing seven distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields. Among the honored awardees is Uyghur ethnographer Professor Rahile Dawut, who has been serving a life sentence in China since 2017.
Professor Dawut will receive an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her pioneering research on Uyghur cultural heritage, particularly her studies on Uyghur shrine culture. For over 25 years, Dawut has been a leading figure in the preservation of Uyghur religious traditions and expressive culture. Her detention in December 2017 during China’s crackdown on so-called “religious extremism” in Xinjiang has drawn international condemnation.
Despite her imprisonment, Professor Dawut’s legacy lives on through her groundbreaking scholarship. As a professor at Xinjiang University, she mentored a new generation of Uyghur anthropologists and folklorists, many of whom now hold advanced degrees from international institutions. Her work includes two books and over 30 research articles in Uyghur, Chinese, and English.
In her absence, Professor Dawut’s daughter, Akeda Polat, will accept the award via video message at the SOAS graduation ceremony. This gesture stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for Uyghur human rights and cultural preservation.
Other Honored Awardees
The 2024 SOAS honorary awardees also include:
- Dr. K.Y. Amoako – One of Africa’s foremost economists, who has shaped African development policy for over five decades. He will receive a Doctor of Science (Social Sciences) for his contributions to economic transformation in Africa.
- Dr. Gail Lewis – A leading figure in Black British feminism and anti-racist thought, recognized with a Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) for her decades of activism and scholarly work.
- Professor Anthony Bogues – A scholar of African and Caribbean political theory, honored with a Doctor of Literature for his contributions to the study of slavery, race, and political economy.
- Lord David Sainsbury – A philanthropist and businessman, acknowledged for his work in education and industrial policy, particularly through the Gatsby Foundation, with an Honorary Fellowship.
- Dr. Atiur Rahman – A renowned Bangladeshi economist and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, receiving a Doctor of Science (Economics) for his work in poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
- Professor Gungwu Wang – A leading historian of China and Southeast Asia, honored with a Doctor of Humanities for his pioneering contributions to Sinology.
The Legacy of Professor Rahile Dawut
Professor Dawut’s academic achievements include her groundbreaking PhD on Uyghur Sufi shrine culture, which she completed in 1998 at Beijing’s Nationalities University. Her research, published in multiple languages, has been instrumental in documenting Uyghur traditions amid increasing state repression. She also collaborated with international institutions, including SOAS, in major research projects that sought to preserve Uyghur cultural heritage.
Dawut’s detention highlights the broader context of China’s policies in Uyghur homeland, where over a million Uyghurs have been detained in what Beijing calls “re-education” centers. Scholars like Dawut, whose work preserves Uyghur culture and history, have been targeted as part of these efforts to suppress Uyghur identity.
The award bestowed by SOAS symbolizes global recognition of her invaluable contributions and underscores the importance of defending Uyghur culture. Professor Dawut’s ongoing imprisonment remains a profound injustice, but her influence and scholarship continue to inspire academics and advocates worldwide.
Background
Professor Rahile Dawut was detained by Chinese authorities in 2017 as part of a broader crackdown on Uyghur intellectuals, cultural figures, and religious practitioners in the Uyghur region, known to Uyghurs as East Turkistan. Her imprisonment reflects China’s increasing efforts to assimilate the Uyghur population and erase cultural practices deemed “extremist” by the government.
As her daughter accepts this award on her behalf, the global academic community continues to call for her release, urging governments and human rights organizations to take stronger action against China’s policies in Uyghur homeland.
Professor Dawut’s recognition by SOAS University of London serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of academic freedom, cultural preservation, and the ongoing fight for Uyghur rights.
Source:soas.ac.uk
