Extremists murder imam in Xinjiang
Updated: 2014-08-01 03:33
By Cui jia in Urumqi (China Daily)
|
||||||||
Three people attacked and killed the imam of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, south Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, after he performed the routine sunrise prayer at 6:58 am on Wednesday.
Two suspects were shot dead and one was arrested, local police said on Thursday evening.
Uygur scholar indicted for separatism |
The imam, Juma Tayier, 80, was a Muslim leader who constantly condemned those who carry out terrorist attacks in Xinjiang in the name of Islam. He was also the deputy president of the China Islamic Association.
Juma had received many threatening letters but was never afraid, his daughter Yimgul Juma said during his funeral. She said Juma’s eight children never imagined their beloved father would be brutally slain.
Police tracked down Turgong Turson, Memetjon Yimtila and Nurmemet Abidili around noon on Wednesday.
The three, who have been under the influence of religious extremism, resisted arrest and attacked officers with knives and axes. Police shot dead two suspects at the scene and arrested the other. The case is still being investigated, police said.
It’s not the first time that a religious leader from Id Kah, the biggest mosque in China, has become the target of separatists or religious extremists.
On May 12, 1996, three people ambushed imam Aronghan Haji, 76, and his son after they left their house for morning prayers at the mosque. Aronghan was stabbed 21 times in the head, back and legs. Aronghan and his son were severely injured in the attack.
Zhang Chunxian, Party chief of the region, observed a moment of silence for Juma as well as dozens of civilians who were killed in a terrorist attack early on Monday morning in Shache county, Kashgar prefecture, on Thursday.
cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn
- Jobs hunting
- Happy homecoming for retired ambassador
- New York state seeks Chinese tourists
- Leadership foundation brings young ambassadors to DC
- Panda North American film festival opens for submissions
- Lavender farm has right scent to lure Chinese tourists
- Pleas for help on murder case
- Silicon Valley rally calls on Fox News to fire Beckel
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Xi attends BRICS summit |
China helps fight international war on drugs |
Crackdown on terrorist attacks |
My China Story: Meeting the master |
Tongues tied around tatu-bola |
A market that's not such a hot property |
Today's Top News
Multinational bribery cases on the rise
Alibaba may buoy mobile portfolio
'Drill isn't targeting any nation'
Imam murdered in Xinjiang
Reforming hukou will unify rights of migrants
Oil stocks rally on news of probe
Firm to build $1.85bn plant in US
Microsoft responds to anti-monopoly probe
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |