Turkistan Times – May 12, 2025 – An international seminar addressing the human rights violations faced by Uyghurs was held on May 5th at Al Washliyah Nusantara Muslim University (UMN) in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The seminar was themed "Human Atrocities and Human Rights Violations Amidst Rising Islamophobia [anti-Islam sentiment]: The Uyghur Crisis."

According to the Uyghur Research Center, the event was co-organized with the aim of "raising the international community's awareness of the ongoing crisis in East Turkistan and strengthening international cooperation with Uyghur Muslims."

Based on a recent post on the X [formerly Twitter] social media platform by the US-based Uyghur Research Center, the international seminar commenced with the Indonesian national anthem, the university anthem, a recitation from the Quran, and subsequent prayers. The Center stated that this form of opening aimed to "demonstrate the gravity of the conference before discussions centered on state oppression and faith-based discrimination."

Haji Muhammad Jamil, Rector of Nusantara Muslim University, emphasized the importance of unity within the Muslim world in his opening address. According to the Uyghur Research Center, he compared the Uyghur struggle to the plight of other marginalized Muslim communities and called on participants to "deepen their understanding of these issues."

Also speaking at the conference, Astrid Nadya Rizqita, President of the OIC Youth Indonesia wing, stressed "the necessity for Muslim youth worldwide to establish cooperation with Uyghurs." According to the Uyghur Research Center, her speech focused on "mobilizing students to take action through education and advocacy."

Among the experts in the discussion panel was Mr. Abdulhakim Idris, Executive Director of the Uyghur Research Center, who provided detailed information about China's policies in East Turkistan. As cited by the Uyghur Research Center, Mr. Idris labeled the situation as "genocide" and specifically emphasized "the international community's responsibility to act."

Academics such as Hasan Asari from UIN North Sumatra (UIN Sumatera Utara) and Nelvitia Purba from Nusantara Muslim University also shared their scholarly insights at the conference. According to the Uyghur Research Center, in their presentations, they "analyzed China's mechanisms of religious suppression targeting Uyghur Muslims by presenting the historical roots of Islamophobia."

The conference concluded with a speech by Haji Mashhuril Khamis, Chairman of the Al Jam'iyatul Washliyah organization. He called on students to stay informed and stand in solidarity with the Uyghur people. According to the Uyghur Research Center, through this call, he encouraged conference attendees to "view the protection of Uyghur rights as a moral and faith-based duty."