At a time when Beijing is trying to woo Bangladesh, several Islamist groups in the country have raised their voice against China for its treatment to Uighur Muslims and even called for a boycott of Chinese goods. Bangladesh-based Daily Asian Age, in a report, said that they came up with the demand at a protest rally at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka on Friday.
According to the report, Mufti Fakhrul Islam, chairman of Bangladesh Jonosheba Andolon, said that “Muslims around the world would not remain silent” if the Chinese government did not stop persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province. Islam also demanded expulsion of the Chinese ambassador from Bangladesh
"The government should severe diplomatic relations with china. I would like to tell the government to call the Chinese ambassador and give a warning to him, which will be helpful to stop persecution of China Muslims," the newspaper quoted Islam as saying.
Alhaj Azam Khan, secretary general of the Khilafah Movement, who noted that the genocide in Xinjiang has been on since 2014, also called on all democracies “in the world to build a united movement against the oppressive Chinese government,” the news organisation said.
Earlier, the newspaper also highlighted that the students too registered their protest against China. “Conscious students of Dhaka University have painted graffiti on walls around the campus demanding repression and genocide on Uighur Muslims in China's Xinjiang province,” an earlier report published by the news organisation said, adding that the Chinese government was violating the basic human rights of Uighur Muslims by demolishing mosques, raping Muslim women and forcing them for sterilization.
The increased pitch against China over the issue of Uighur Muslims has become a cause for worry for the dragon.
In a major blow to Beijing, former US President Donal Trump just before exiting office in January, declared that the Chinese government’s repression of the Uighurs in Xinjiang was an act of genocide.
Countries within the European Union have also expressed their concern. The Chinese state backed media organisation Global Times noted that the frequent criticism of China from various European countries over human rights violations especially related to the Uighur Muslims will only dent relationship.
While Beijing has repeatedly denied reports of genocide, it has not allowed an independent UN investigation.
