Beijing bans head scarves, veils from Xinjiang buses

BEIJING: A city in China’s restive western region of Xinjiang has banned people with head scarves, veils and long beards from boarding buses, as the government battles unrest with a policy that critics said discriminates against Muslims. Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people who speak a Turkic language, has been beset for years by violence that the government blames on Muslim separatists. Authorities will prohibit five types of passengers — those who wear veils, head scarves, a loose-fitting garment called a jilbab, clothing with the crescent moon and star, and those with long beards — from boarding buses in the northwestern city of Karamay, state media said. The crescent moon and star symbol features on many national flags, besides being used by groups China says want to set up an independent state called East Turkestan. The rules were intended to help strengthen security through August 20 during an athletics event and would be enforced by security teams, the ruling Communist Party-run Karamay Daily said on Monday. “Those who do not comply, especially those five types of passengers, will be reported to the police,” the paper said. In July, authorities in Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi banned bus passengers from carrying items ranging from cigarette lighters to yogurt and water, in a bid to prevent violent attacks. Exiled Uighur groups and human rights activists say the government’s repressive policies in Xinjiang, including controls on Muslims, have provoked unrest, a claim Beijing denies.   REUTERS