Uyghur Diaspora Embraces Online Uyghur History Course by Dr. Nabijan Tursun

By Ihsan Umun
March 4, 2026

The newly launched “Uyghur History Classroom,” founded by renowned historian Nabijan Tursun, has officially begun its systematic online lecture series, drawing strong interest and participation from the Uyghur diaspora worldwide. The initiative aims to preserve national identity and address what organizers describe as widespread historical illiteracy among Uyghurs living abroad.

Currently conducted via Zoom, the lectures are scheduled to accommodate participants across multiple time zones. According to Dr. Tursun, nearly 90 registered members from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan have formally joined the program. Including family members and children who regularly attend, approximately 200 individuals are systematically following the course, with enrollment continuing to grow.

Dr. Tursun emphasized that this marks the first large-scale, structured online program dedicated exclusively to Uyghur history:

“There has never before been a fully systematic Uyghur history course established anywhere. This is the first time a recognized Uyghur historian has founded such a structured academic program. Over the course of one year, we will cover every historical period of the Uyghurs from ancient times to the present, based on my 13-volume work General History of the Uyghurs, presented according to academic standards.”

He also warned that Uyghur history faces ongoing threats of erasure, distortion, and destruction by Chinese authorities, underscoring the urgent need for fair and scholarly interpretation. Dr. Tursun noted that historical illiteracy remains prevalent within diaspora communities, including among intellectuals and political figures.

“History is the mirror of development and a guide to the future. A nation that does not know its past, or is deprived of learning it, cannot clearly see its future. In short, without history, there is no future.”

The lecture series extends beyond the geographical scope of East Turkistan, incorporating broader themes under the framework of “Eurasian Uyghur History,” linking Uyghur history with that of Central Asia and Turkic peoples.

Participants have expressed high praise for the program. Samet Awut, a community figure attending from the United States, shared his reflections:

“The historical novels we read back home often contained emotion and speculation. But Dr. Nabijan Tursun’s lectures are grounded in long-term academic research and documented evidence. We are gaining much new knowledge that we did not previously know. The lectures are engaging and compelling. I feel more strongly than ever how essential it is to learn our own history from scholars like Dr. Tursun.”

He also encouraged younger generations to actively study their national history, emphasizing that doing so strengthens national pride and a sense of belonging.

Observers suggest that the expansion of such systematic historical education initiatives could become a turning point in helping Uyghur youth in the diaspora preserve their identity and cultural roots for future generations.

Dr. Nabijan Tursun is a renowned Uyghur historian, scholar, and journalist who is widely recognized for his extensive research on Uyghur history and the East Turkestan Republics. He is particularly celebrated for authoring the monumental 13-volume series, General History of Uyghurs

On April 15, 2023, the Almaty branch of the Uyghur Ethno-Cultural Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Council of Scholars, and the Uyghur Youth Union of Kazakhstan held a virtual international conference dedicated to the 60th birthday of Nabijan Tursun, a well-known Uyghur scholar and historian.

Originally published in Uyghur by Uyghur Post, this article has been translated into English and republished by Uyghur Times for a broader readership.

İhsan Umun is a Paris-based Uyghur journalist, commentator, and host of Dialogue in Uyghur Language. A sociology graduate from Akdeniz University (2018), he has reported for Radio Free Asia and written for outlets including Medyascope, Gazete Duvar, and Serbestiyet. He contributes regularly to the Uyghur Post, covering human rights, diaspora issues, and global affairs, and has published poems in Uyghur anthologies. He writes in Uyghur, Turkish, and French.