Beijing cracks down on kebabs amid push against Islamist jihad

[mota bhai 2,675]

Many of Beijing’s predominantly Muslim ethnic Uighur migrants make a living 1 yuan (16 cents) at a time, selling lamb kebabs at makeshift streetside barbecues in the summer.

But now — amid what Uighur rights advocates call a wave of social, political and religious repression against their minority communities across China — Beijing authorities are cracking down on outdoor barbeques, with state-run Xinhua News Agency reporting Wednesday that the move is aimed at fighting the city’s crippling air pollution.

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Many Uighurs migrate to Beijing to sell their unique style of barbecued lamb kebabs, which are considered a delicacy throughout China and are ubiquitous on the capital’s streets. But as of May 1, outdoor barbecue vendors in Beijing must move their operations inside and obtain certification from local health authorities.

“It’s an effective way of sending all the Uighur vendors on the street back to [Xinjiang],” Alim Seytoff, spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress advocacy organization, told Al Jazeera.

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Seytoff said the environmental argument is an excuse to keep Uighurs away from the capital. “There is no way they have of renting indoor space,” he said. “By banning outdoor kebab stands, the government is not making it a political issue but a pollution issue.”

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“There is no economic opportunity for Uighurs in [Xinjiang]. Chinese government offices and companies don’t hire Uighurs. Openly in their ads, [Han employers] say 'no Uighurs wanted' or 'Han only.' For Uighurs without education, there’s no way to get a job.”

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Seytoff said Beijing’s backlash against kebab sellers — citing a fight against air pollution — is part of an effort to keep Uighurs out of the nation’s capital without attracting international attention.

“For the government in Beijing, all Uighurs are a safety concern,” Seytoff said.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/30/beijing-kebab.html

[Jacque67 7,328]

Ha ha. Some people are so petty!

Can I vote for both options?

Edited May 5, 2014 by Jacque67