Editorial Context for the “Alqissa” Controversy
Background: Prominent Uyghur poet Akhmatjan Osman, the former president of the World Uyghur Writers Union, was recently removed from his position following a strong online backlash. This controversy centered on his public statements and opinions regarding religious faiths, specifically his firm belief that Oghuz, a legendary figure in Turkic epics, should be considered a Uyghur prophet.
The organization’s decision to oust Mr. Osman has polarized the community, leading to diverse reactions:
- Some Islamic conservative figures and organizations have publicly supported his removal, viewing his opinions as contradictory to established “national faith”.
- Others have criticized the decision, defending his right to freedom of expression and intellectual debate.
To ensure a balanced discussion on this important matter of intellectual and national identity, we are publishing two separate opinion pieces that present contrasting views on Mr. Osman’s removal.
Please note: The views expressed in these opinion pieces are those of the respective authors and do not represent the official stance of Uyghur Times.
Najimdin Qarluq October 1, 2025
On October 1, 2025 — China’s National Day — the World Uyghur Writers Union, which is another overseas Uyghur organization related to literature besides UyghurPen, issued a statement announcing the expulsion of the poet Ahmatjan Osman, declaring that “his personal views are completely incompatible and contradictory to the religious beliefs, national values, and sound ideology of the Uyghur people, and that his opinions shared on the Association’s social media platforms have caused serious damage to the organization’s public image.”
First of all, it is astonishing — and shameful — that a writers’ association would employ methods of exclusion and defamation against differing opinions in a style reminiscent of the Chinese regime. Their “expulsion” practice, similar to the methods of religious institutions or medieval churches, reminds me of Mansur Hallaj, the Sufi mystic who was executed for his words.
A writers’ union claiming the authority to judge others’ “religious beliefs” or “national values”, and the lack of decency in the way those who call themselves writers issued this statement from behind the curtain of envy — this is a tragic black comedy in the deathbed stage of Uyghur literature.
The lack of respect for freedom of thought, for one another, and for moral and linguistic ethics — and the failure to consider the consequences of how we resolve differences — will gravely harm the unity and development of our already fragile Uyghur literature and society.
In defending Uyghur literature under Chinese oppression, tolerance toward differing opinions and mutual respect are indispensable factors. This statement is harmful to the interests of the Uyghur nation and has turned the World Uyghur Writers Association into a dark, regressive organization, destroying its moral foundation.
The fundamental principle of literature is diversity of ideas and dialogue. Ahmatjan Osman is an avant-garde poet who brought forth a new form of modern Uyghur poetry. His works embody mystical imagination, philosophical depth, and a spiritual quest for noble national existence.
Expelling any writer because of differences in thought is an act of tyranny and conspiracy. As expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of thought and expression is a fundamental human right — and writers’ associations should defend it.
If literature is confined by dogma, its creative power dies.
This statement damages the unity of Uyghur literature in resisting Chinese suppression, deepens internal divisions, and erodes mutual trust and affection among Uyghurs.
The timing of the “statement” — issued precisely on China’s National Day — its language, and its professionalism are utterly inconsistent with what should characterize an organization calling itself a writers’ association.
Instead of resolving differences through dialogue or, at the very least, through a professional announcement of position changes, using crude, hostile phrases such as “expelled” or “membership revoked” demonstrates a vulgarity that contradicts not only the religious faith and national values they claim to defend but also the very essence of literary principle and theory.
The original article appeared in the Uyghur Post, a recently established Uyghur-language media outlet.
Najmidin Qarluq is a Belgium-based Uyghur activist, veteran entrepreneur, and Founder of the East Turkistan Republican Party.