Some Urumqi Mosques Defy Shutdown

July 10, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8143554.stm

Some mosques in the western Chinese city of Urumqi have opened their doors to worshippers, in spite of an earlier order for them to stay closed.

At least two mosques opened after crowds gathered outside. It was not immediately clear if the authorities had sanctioned the move.

Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang region, remains tense after days of ethnic violence that left 156 people dead.