By Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang

DAP is shocked at the decision by the central Chinese government to ban students and civil servants in the Muslim Xinjiang region from taking part in traditional fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. According to official statements on the websites of schools, government agencies and local party organisations, the ban was purportedly aimed at “protecting students’ wellbeing and preventing use of schools and government offices to promote religion.” Meanwhile, state-run newspapers have also run editorials warning about the health dangers of fasting.

DAP expresses deep regret at such a draconian ruling that goes against the very essence of human rights and freedom of religion. The oppression and persecution of religious minorities cannot be justified, no matter what the circumstances. We call upon the Chinese government to immediately rescind the directive and to allow Muslim students, party members and civil servants to observe the Ramadan fast.

A the same time, DAP would also like to take the opportunity to express our revulsion at the latest spate of deadly violence that has erupted in Baitutlmukadis and Palestine following the deaths of three Israeli teenagers and the grisly murder of a Palestinian youth in Baitulmuqaddis. Such killings will only perpetuate the cycle of violence and spiral downwards to irreconcilable hatred that will make peace impossible.

DAP condemns the fasting ban in China during the holy month of Ramadan and the escalation of violence in the Middle East that has claimed the lives of innocent children. Give diversity, social inclusion, religious and peace a chance!