Who are the Uyghurs?

Uyghurs, Their Culture, History, and the Ongoing Struggle for Survival

The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking ethnic group primarily native to East Turkistan, Aka Uyghurstan, officially known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China. Recognized as the region’s titular people, the Uyghurs have a rich history spanning thousands of years, with deep cultural, linguistic, and religious traditions. Genetically, they represent a unique blend of approximately 60% Western Eurasian (European or West Asian) ancestry and 40% Eastern Eurasian (East Asian or Siberian) ancestry, reflecting the region’s historic position along the Silk Road. Uyghur culture is distinguished by its literature, music, traditional arts, architecture, religious practices, medicine, and distinctive cuisine, forming a vibrant heritage that continues to shape their identity both in Uyghur homeland and across the diaspora.
The Uyghurs take pride in their long and distinguished history, marked by ancient kingdoms, political achievements, and a vibrant cultural heritage that has contributed significantly to Central Asia and the Silk Road. Today, Uyghur people  face systematic, highly sophisticated, and technologically advanced methods of repression, including mass detentions, forced assimilation, birth control restrictions, and attempts to erase their identity—measures widely recognized as genocide.

Uyghur Culture: What does Uyghur culture look like?

As descendants of the ancient Uyghur Khaganate, the Uyghurs have a rich historical legacy known for their contributions to art, literature, and governance. Uyghur culture is uniquely creative, shaped by a rich blend of Turkic and Persian influences while preserving its distinctive identity. It is characterized by captivating aspects such as the melodic 12 Muqam music, dynamic dance forms, collective celebrations like Meshrep, literature, and culinary creations like Leghmen, Polo, Samsa-Manta, Toqach, Narin, Goshnan, Qordaq, and Etken Chay. Uyghur society embodies a positive outlook on life, a hospitable demeanor towards people of diverse backgrounds, and a reverence for nature, animals, and marginalized communities. Uyghur art and music are renowned for their melodic qualities and intricate craftsmanship, with traditional instruments like the Dutar and Rawap adding a distinct flavor to their cultural expressions. The Uyghur people hold a significant place in the world’s cultural mosaic due to their heritage, historical significance, and vibrant cultural practices.

Over the course of thousands of years, the Uyghur people have cultivated an adaptable and inclusive approach to coexisting with diverse populations from various backgrounds and cultures. They value honoring and respecting elders and women, with men assuming responsibility for their households and society while also embracing an open-minded and supportive stance towards women’s leadership. Uyghurs prioritize safeguarding marginalized members of their community, promoting mutual assistance, and cherishing an ethos of openness and tolerance towards individuals of different races and religious beliefs.

Where is Uyghurstan, aka Xinjiang?

A Land of Significance: An Oil-Rich and Strategically Important Region with Historical Importance

East Turkistan (aka Uyghurstan), officially Xinjiang, is the largest province-level division of China by area and the eighth-largest country subdivision in the world. It spans over 1.6 million square kilometers (620,000 sq mi) and has a population of approximately 25 million inhabitants. Uyghur region shares borders with Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The region is characterized by the rugged Karakoram, Kunlun, and Tian Shan mountain ranges, which dominate its borders, as well as its western and southern regions. The Aksai Chin and Trans-Karakoram Tract regions, both under Chinese administration, are also claimed by India. Xinjiang also shares borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region, as well as the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. Historically, the famous Silk Road traversed this territory from the east to its northwest border. The major Uyghur cities in the region include Urumchi, the capital, and Kashgar, an ancient capital and cultural hub for the Uyghur community.

Human Rights and Genocide: What Is the Chinese Government Doing to the Uyghurs?

Since 2017, the Chinese government has carried out genocide and crimes against humanity targeting the Uyghur people and other Turkic Muslims in East Turkistan. Between 1.8 and 3 million Uyghurs are believed to have been arbitrarily detained in so-called “re-education” camps, with hundreds of thousands more imprisoned or subjected to constant surveillance.

Uyghurs are subjected to a wide range of atrocity crimes, including:

• Forced sterilization and birth prevention campaigns, aimed at reducing Uyghur population growth.
• Family separation, with children taken from their parents and placed in state-run boarding schools to erase Uyghur language, culture, and identity.
• Continuous surveillance, including 24-hour monitoring of daily life and severe restrictions on communication with overseas family members.
• Arbitrary arrests of cultural and intellectual figures, targeting religious leaders, writers, and educators.
• Destruction of cultural and religious sites, including mosques, shrines, and cemeteries.
• Forced marriages of Uyghur women to Han Chinese men as part of assimilation policies.
• Land expropriation and demographic engineering, with large-scale migration of Han Chinese into Uyghur areas and seizure of agricultural lands formerly owned by Uyghurs.
• Forced labor, with Uyghurs compelled to work in factories, farms, and other industries under coercive conditions.

These actions represent a systematic attempt to erase the Uyghur identity and culture while controlling the population through intimidation, assimilation, and state-enforced violence.

Global Response to the Treatment of Uyghurs

Independent investigations, academic research, leaked Chinese government documents, GPS data, and eyewitness testimonies have all documented the systematic abuses against Uyghurs. As a result, dozens of countries have officially recognized China’s actions as genocide or crimes against humanity.

In January 2021, the U.S. State Department determined that China’s treatment of Uyghurs constitutes both genocide and crimes against humanity. National parliaments and assemblies in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and the European Parliament have passed motions or resolutions condemning these atrocities.

Some members of the international community have expressed concern or condemnation without formal recognition. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that the arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, combined with other restrictions, “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.”

In December 2021, the Uyghur Tribunal concluded that genocide and crimes against humanity have been committed against Uyghurs. A March 2021 study by 40 independent legal experts and researchers found that the Chinese government was committing “each and every act” prohibited under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Several countries have issued joint statements calling on China to release Uyghur prisoners, and the U.S. and other nations have passed laws and resolutions supporting Uyghur human rights and aiming to end forced labor.

What language do Uyghurs speak?

The Uyghur people have their own language, known as Uyghur language, which belongs to the Karluk branch of the Turkic language family. Uyghur is an official language of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region according to the Chinese constitution. It is widely used in social and official spheres, as well as in print, television, and radio. Other ethnic minorities in the region, such as Kazak, Uzbek, Tatar, and Tajik, also speak Uyghur and use it as a common language. The official Uyghur script in China is a modified Arabic-derived writing system, while Uyghurs in Central Asia use the Uyghur Cyrillic alphabet, and many members of the Uyghur diaspora also use the Uyghur Latin alphabet.

What is the Uyghur population?

There are no exact and universally accepted statistics on the global Uyghur population. In the 2020 Chinese official state census, it was stated that the Uyghur population is 11.6243 million people, accounting for 44.96% of the total population. However, Uyghurs contest this figure and hold the belief that there is a larger Uyghur population. They argue that the Chinese government intentionally reports lower numbers to manipulate international perception, aiming to justify the effects of their genocidal policies. Uyghurs argue that forced sterilization, imprisonment, and killings within the camps and prisons contribute to the diminished numbers, serving as a cover for the elimination of the Uyghur population.

Uyghur Diaspora: Population and Global Distribution of Uyghurs

Uyghurs are dispersed across the globe, forming diaspora communities in various regions. According to estimates by Amnesty International (2020), it is believed that approximately 1-1.6 million Uyghurs reside outside of China. These communities are found in different parts of the world, including Central Asia (1 million), Pakistan (200,000), Turkey (100,000), Europe (50,000), North America (30,000), Saudi Arabia (50,000), and Japan (5,000).

In their new locations, Uyghurs are dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage and language. They actively establish Uyghur language schools in different parts of the world as a means of promoting and nurturing their language and cultural traditions.

Religion: What Do Uyghurs Believe?

Although Uyghurs have been predominantly Muslim for centuries, it is highly likely that the next generation of Uyghurs—raised under Chinese Communist rule and shaped by ongoing anti-religious, pro-atheist policies, the state education system, and the punishment of religious practice—will become non-religious.

Most Uyghurs follow Islam, but some are Uyghur Christians. However, China’s extensive anti-religious campaign since 2016 has had significant effects. Uyghurs have been forced to give up their religious beliefs and publicly reject their faith. Islam has been banned, limiting religious activities and knowledge. People in the region are not allowed to have religious experiences, which affects the younger generation’s connection to their religious, cultural, and historical background. It’s important to understand that when Uyghurs are called Muslims, it generally refers to their beliefs before the campaign started. Uyghurs are currently under Chinese control, and future generations will face suppression of their religious practices.

What do you know about Uyghur Music:

Uyghur music is a vibrant and diverse musical tradition originating with the Uyghur people. It is characterized by its unique blend of Central Asian, Turkic, Persian, and Islamic influences. Uyghur music encompasses a wide range of genres, styles, and instruments, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Uyghur people.

Vocal music holds a prominent place in Uyghur musical traditions. It includes various forms such as narrative songs, folk songs, love songs, and religious hymns. Uyghur folk songs often convey themes of love, nature, and daily life, while narrative songs often tell stories or recount historical events.

Instrumental music is also highly valued in Uyghur music. Traditional Uyghur instruments include the dutar (a two-stringed long-necked lute), rawap (a plucked fretted instrument), tambur (a long-necked fretted lute), and dap (a frame drum). These instruments are used to perform instrumental compositions, improvisations, and accompany vocal performances.

Uyghur music has undergone influences and adaptations over time, including the incorporation of modern elements and styles. Contemporary Uyghur music incorporates Western instruments, contemporary pop styles, and electronic music, resulting in a fusion of traditional and modern sounds. Uyghur music is not only a form of entertainment but also plays a significant role in cultural and social gatherings, celebrations, and religious ceremonies. It serves as a means of cultural expression, identity, and preservation of Uyghur heritage.

12 Muqam:

The “Twelve Muqam” is a traditional musical repertoire and cultural heritage of the Uyghur people. It is a complex and comprehensive musical system that encompasses a collection of songs, instrumental music, dances, and oral narratives. The Twelve Muqam has deep historical roots and has been passed down through generations.

Do Uyghurs need independence?

Yes, Uyghurs in the diaspora, under the leadership of Uyghur advocacy groups, have expressed their desire for an independent state called “East Turkistan.” Many also prefer to refer to it as Uyghurstan, in line with other independent Central Asian states that share Turkic heritage with the Uyghur people.

What are the major Uyghur holidays?

Uyghurs celebrate several significant holidays, including:

1. Eid al-Fitr: This is a joyous celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Uyghurs join Muslims around the world in observing this holiday, which includes communal prayers, feasting, and spending time with family and friends.
2. Eid al-Adha: Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, this holiday commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It involves the sacrifice of an animal, typically a sheep, and the distribution of the meat to family, friends, and those in need.

In addition to these Islamic holidays, Uyghurs also commemorate specific events and days of historical and cultural significance, such as:

3. Uyghur Day-Uyghur Doppa Cultural Festival: Since May 5, 2009, Uyghurs worldwide have celebrated this festival as the only ethnic and nationalist holiday dedicated to promoting Uyghur identity. It involves cultural events, traditional music and dance performances, exhibitions, and the wearing of traditional Uyghur clothing, including the distinctive Uyghur doppa (cap).
4. Commemoration of Past Events: Uyghurs in the diaspora hold events or raise national flags to remember significant historical events such as the establishment of the two short-lived East Turkistan Republics and the tragic incidents of the July 5th Urumqi Massacre in 2009 and the Ghulja Massacre of February 5th, 1997.

These holidays and commemorations play an essential role in Uyghur culture, providing occasions for religious observance, cultural expression, and the reinforcement of their identity as a distinct ethnic group.

What are the major Uyghur organizations?

There are several major Uyghur organizations that work to represent the interests and rights of the Uyghur people. These include:

1. World Uyghur Congress (WUC) (Germany): The World Uyghur Congress is an international organization based in Germany that advocates for the collective interests of the Uyghur people. Its primary goals include promoting human rights, democracy, and freedom for Uyghurs worldwide.
2. Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) (USA): The Uyghur Human Rights Project, based in the United States, focuses on research and advocacy related to human rights violations against Uyghurs. They conduct research, publish reports, and provide information to policymakers and the public to raise awareness about the plight of Uyghurs.
3. Uyghur American Association (UAA): The Uyghur American Association is an advocacy organization based in the United States. It works to raise awareness about the human rights situation in East Turkestan and advocates for the rights of Uyghurs.
4. Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU): The Campaign for Uyghurs is an advocacy organization that raises awareness, mobilizes action, and advocates for Uyghur human rights. They engage in public campaigns, lobbying efforts, and media outreach to support the Uyghur cause.
5. International Union of East Turkistan Organizations (IUETO) (Turkey): The International Union of East Turkistan Organizations is an umbrella institution based in Turkey. It represents non-governmental organizations in the Uyghur diaspora and works collectively to advocate for the rights and aspirations of East Turkistan. Their joint efforts aim to carry out a global East Turkistan advocacy campaign.
6. East Turkistan Government in Exile: The East Turkistan Government in Exile is a parliamentary-based exile government headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was established by Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other peoples from East Turkistan. The government claims to represent East Turkistan and its people on the international stage, advocating for their rights and interests.
7. Republican Ethno-cultural Center of Uighurs of Kazakhstan: The Republican Ethno-cultural Center of Uighurs of Kazakhstan is an organization based in Kazakhstan. It focuses on promoting and preserving the Uighur ethnic and cultural heritage within the country.

These organizations play crucial roles in raising awareness about Uyghur issues, advocating for human rights, and representing the Uyghur people’s interests on the international stage.

Prominent Uyghur Diaspora Figures (Excluding Non–Human Rights Advocates and Those Based in Central Asia or Saudi Arabia)

Ilham Tohti – Uyghur economist and advocate for peaceful Uyghur–Han dialogue, imprisoned in China.

Rebiya Kadeer – Former President of the World Uyghur Congress and prominent Uyghur rights leader.

Dolkun Isa – Former President of the World Uyghur Congress, longtime international human rights activist.

Nury Turkel – U.S. lawyer, author, former commissioner on U.S. religious freedom board.

Rushan Abbas – Founder of Campaign for Uyghurs, prominent voice on Uyghur rights in Washington.

Orkesh (Wuerkaixi) – Uyghur democracy activist and leader of 1989 Tiananmen student movement.

Omer Kanat – Executive Director of Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP).

Salih Hudayar – Prime Minister of East Turkistan Government-in-Exile and political advocate.

Tahir Imin – Uyghur writer, activist, and founder of Uyghur Times and Uyghur Post

Rahima Mahmut – UK-based activist focusing on forced labor and genocide awareness.

Mehmet Tohti – UK-based Uyghur rights activist and campaigner.

Rukiye Turdush – Uyghur women’s rights activist and global advocate.

Abduweli Ayup – Linguist, education advocate, and former political prisoner.

Dilnur Reyhan – President of European Uyghur Institute, promoting Uyghur culture in Europe.

Reyhan Eset – Uyghur activist and community organizer in Europe.

Jewher Ilham – Human rights advocate, daughter of Ilham Tohti, international speaker.

Elnigar Iltebir – Former U.S. National Security Council official and Uyghur policy expert.

Zumretay Arkin – Vice President of World Uyghur Congress and women’s rights advocate.

Zubeyde Shamsidin – Uyghur women’s activist and community leader.

Arsilan Hidayet – Uyghur activist and media commentator.

Kuzzat Altay – Uyghur activist, entrepreneur and commentator

Rishat Abbas – President of Uyghur Academy, brother of Rushan Abbas, 

Bahiyar Omer – Uyghur diaspora advocate and the founder of Uyghur Transitional Justice Database

Erkin Ekrem – Uyghur Academic, Uyghur activist.

Erkin Sidiq – President of Uyghur Projects foundation, Uyghur activist

Erkin Alptekin – Veteran Uyghur political activist and founder of the World Uyghur Youth Congress.

Shohret Hoshur – Uyghur journalist and human rights advocate

Gulchihre Hoja – Uyghur journalist, author, Uyghur women’s rights activist.

Elfiar Iltebir – Former President of the Uyghur American Association (UAA).

Tahir Hamut Izgil – Uyghur poet, filmmaker, and Uyghur Post Chief editor

Musajan Ar – President of East Turkistan Education Solidarity Organization.

Seyit Tomturk – President of East Turkistan National Assembly.

Mamtimin Ala – President of East Turkistan Government-in-Exile.

Turghunjan Alawuddun – President of the World Uyghur Congress.

Ahmatjan Osman – Leading Uyghur poet and literary figure.

Arfiya eri – Japan’s first Uyghur MP deputy foreign minister

Abdulaziz Dawood Khudaberdi-Brigadier General of the 84th Division of the Syrian military

Some High profile imprisoned Uyghurs

1. Ilham Tohti
2. Tashpolat Tiyip
3. Arslan Abdulla
4. Azat Sultan
5. Abduqadir Jalalidin
6. Yalqun Rozi
7. Perhat Tursun
8. Rahila Dawut
9. Ablajan Awut Ayup
10. Halmurat Ghopur

You can read a list of Uyghur intellectuals arrested by Chinese government here

The most well-known political figures in China are:

1. Erkin Tuniyaz
2. Nur Bekri
3. Shohrat Zakir

Well-known artists:

1. Dilraba Dilmurat
2. Abdulla Abdurehim
3. Dilber Yunus
4. Erkin Abdulla
5. Abudrehim Heyit

This article will be updated to provide additional information and ensure accuracy.