By Uyghur Times Staff
Renowned Uyghur singer Senuber Tursun has recently performed her classic song “Salam Alyurt” with added Chinese lyrics, sparking backlash online. A newly surfaced video shows her altering the original Uyghur lyrics and melody to include content glorifying China. While many criticize her for compromising Uyghur cultural heritage, others believe she may have acted under pressure, especially after reportedly being released from a re-education camp. The video was first shared by camp survivor Zumret Dawut.
Senuber Tursun was reportedly arrested and detained in a Uyghur internment camp during the early wave of mass incarcerations carried out by Chinese authorities.
One Uyghur observer commented: “It is both absurd and incomprehensible that the Chinese Communist Party is forcing renowned Uyghur folk singer Sanuber Tursun to insert pro-China and pro-Party lyrics into a traditional Uyghur classic.”