Two farmers in southern Xinjiang have never met, but have had very common experiences. Both men previously traveled illegally out of China to find the so-called "heavenly world", before being arrested and repatriated to their hometowns.

July 13, 3 p.m., Mexmut was performing Wudu, the Muslim spiritual hygiene ritual, at home. Behind him, his house was being renovated. After washing, he goes to the village's mosque to pray.

"Normal religious activities can be carried out at the mosque. Five-time prayers are also fine. The government supports our legal religious activities very much. Fasting is also a personal choice," said Mexmut, fruit farmer.

Aksu is a city of apples. Now is the key period to care for the fruit trees. Back from the mosque, Mexmut comes to work to tend his orchard.

"This is my orchard, mainly apples and pears. I've done most of the work. Now I only need to fertilize and prop up the branches within a week. Then there are two more batches of fertilizing needed until October. My revenue might be 100,000 yuan," Mexmut said.

Two years ago, Mexmut was repatriated to his hometown after illegally immigrating. Local police and legal authorities investigated his case, finding that he had been coerced and cheated. They gave him leniency and helped him return to a normal life. Now, thinking about his experiences, Mexmut says he was confused at that time.

"I was muddled-headed. Religious extremism affected me. They said I could do anything I wanted to do after going out of the border," he said.

"No one would stop us. It's easy to make money. If you are there, you can make money. So I did it."

Thanks to his diligence and the help from local government, Mexmut now has a fruit orchard over 0.6 hectares, plus 7 store rooms .