Chinese authorities banned most Uyghurs from praying in mosques and even in their homes during the Eid ul-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, in many areas of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, according to local residents and police.

Those aged 60 and older were permitted to pray in a local mosque under strict police surveillance during Eid, which took place on April 20-21 this year.

Since 2017, China has imposed restrictions on ethnic customs and religious practices among the largely Muslim Uyghur population in an effort to eradicate what it terms “religious extremism.”

During this year’s Eid, authorities in Xinjiang/China conducted patrols and house searches to prevent secret prayer activities at home, the sources reported.

An administrative staff member from Yarkowruk town in Akesu Prefecture stated that only one mosque was open for Eid prayers. “Our police officers were stationed at the mosque to monitor the attendees,” the staffer said. “I am unsure if permission was needed to attend as I did not go there myself.”

Similarly, in Bulung town, Bay County, only one mosque was open for Eid prayers, and only residents over 60 were allowed to attend, according to a local police officer. The government had issued a notice banning those under 60 from praying during the holiday.

In Bulung, only about a dozen Uyghur elders attended Eid prayers at the mosque, where three police officers and several auxiliary staff monitored and recorded the names of attendees, the officer added.

“The mosque was open yesterday, and we went there to surveil the people,” said the police officer, noting that he instructed residents under 60 not to go to the mosque.

A local resident who wished to remain anonymous told that authorities had destroyed nearly all mosques in Nilka and Kunes counties, making it impossible for people to attend Eid prayers even if allowed.

A staffer at the Aktope police station in Tokkuztara county mentioned that no permission was granted for residents, including seniors, to hold holiday prayer gatherings at home, and no exceptions were made.

A Peyziwat county resident in Kashgar Prefecture reported that she did not visit anyone or prepare sangza, a special fried dough eaten during Eid. Another woman from Maralbexi county in Kashgar Prefecture said that neither she nor her neighbors or relatives held Eid prayers or celebrations.

“The mosque was not open, China has banned the opening of the mosque, “ she said.