While the Chinese authorities have tightened their grip in Xinjiang, Uighur residents-particularly women-are constructing a silent protest against China's new policies. One of the most talked about policies among Uighur women includes the prohibition of long beards and women's veils.

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Though this new conduct has been created for China to decrease the potential threats of religious extremism, many Uighur women are upset by these enforced regulations. Under these new rules, Uighurs fear the loss of their cultural and religious identities. In addition, many Uighurs feel that their own traditions-ones their families have been partaking in for centuries-will vanish with these new orders in place.

As a result a of this fear and disapproval, many Uighur women are still adhering to the cultural tradition of wearing veils - despite the new laws they now must live under.

Despite the major political clashes that have occurred between the Uighurs and the Chinese government over the past few months-particularly with banning veiled women from boarding local buses-many Uighur women still wear veils in Xinjiang as a way of silently protesting these new regulations.

However, it has also been reported that there are other Uighur women who are embracing the new ban on veils and rejecting the conservative traditions of their religious backgrounds. Instead, these women are accepting a more liberal dress code and open mindset toward their heritage.

In a recent New York Times article, many Uighur women spoke of their decisions to wear veils regardless of the new rules set by the government. While many of the women were interviewed under pseudonyms as a way to protect their identities, several were quick to admit that they still wear veils to show respect for their culture's tradition.The great divide among Uighur women has caused a great deal of intrigue among many women throughout Xinjiang. Regardless of their perspectives on the new government regulations, many women have reportedly admitted to feeling that their home is undergoing a significant change.

TagsXinjiang