CAIR, January 11, 2025

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the reported sentencing of a Uyghur Muslim woman in China to 17 years in prison for teaching her children and a neighbor verses from the Quran, Islam’s revealed text.

Seylihan Rozi, 49, was reportedly sentenced for providing “illegal underground religious activity” because she taught verses from the that Muslims recite during prayers. A Bulaqsu Township Party Committee official told Radio Free Asia she was sentenced to prison for her “illegal religious activities.”

SEE: Uyghur woman sentenced to 17 years for teaching Islam to her kids and a neighbor – Radio Free Asia

Washington, D.C., based CAIR called on the United Nations to take action to defend religious rights in China.

In June of last year, CAIR condemned the reported re-sentencing of a Uyghur Muslim woman to 14 years in prison for teaching the Quran to teenagers.

Human rights groups say Chinese authorities frequently punish Uyghurs in Xinjiang for their religious practices.

In a statement, CAIR said:

“We condemn this shocking arrest and sentencing for a woman who was merely exercising basic religious rights that should be available to anyone of any faith worldwide. We call on the United Nations to condemn this unjust action by the Chinese government and to take action in defense of all those whose rights are being violated by dictatorial governments.”

Last month, CAIR welcomed new trade restrictions on two Chinese firms, including one accused of enabling human rights violations through surveillance of Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic and religious minorities in China.

In November, CAIR welcomed the addition of 29 Chinese companies to the list of entities using forced labor involving Uyghur minorities.

Also in November, CAIR welcomed a ban on the entry to the United States of products produced by Esquel Group, one of the world’s largest textile and apparel companies, over allegations it uses forced Uyghur labor.

In October, CAIR welcomed DHS banning two Chinese companies over their reported use of Uyghur slave labor. 

CAIR has previously welcomed the banning of Chinese companies using slave labor.

SEE: CAIR Welcomes US Ban on Imports from 5 Chinese Companies Over Uyghur Forced Labor