US asks China to allow Muslim citizens to worship freely

The US today asked China to protect religious freedom and allow citizens to worship freely amid reports that the Communist country had banned fasting in its Muslim-dominated Xinjiang region.
"We call on Chinese authorities to protect freedom of religion and allow citizens to worship freely in accordance with China's international human rights commitments," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI when asked about the reported Chinese ban.
"Freedom of religion is critical to a peaceful, inclusive, stable and thriving society," the spokesperson said.
The American reaction came after reports said that China had banned civil servants, students and teachers in its Muslim-dominated Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan.

The reports said that restaurants were ordered to stay open.
A four member delegation of Pakistan is visiting Xinjiang to "observe" fasting ban in the Muslim-dominated region of China.