Victims of extremism in Xinjiang get a new life

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While terrorism is a global enemy, many countries now help educate and transform those who were once influenced by extremist ideology. In northwestern China, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has introduced vocational training centers to help victims of extremist ideologies gain a new lease on life.

Abudusaimaiti and his wife are training at an educational center in Hotan. As recently as six years ago, they owned a restaurant. At first, business was good, but religious extremists eventually started harassing the couple. They told the couple to separate tableware into two groups for Muslims and non-Muslims.

"Either we would provide non-Muslims disposable dishware, or don't serve them food at all; that's how serious it was. Their goal was to segregate the Han and Uyghur people," said Abudusaimaiti.

Those demands took hold on Abubusaimati. He followed their doctrines closely over the next few years.

"I put up a sign at the door that says no admission for non-Muslims. If my thoughts went on like this, I would have probably kicked customers out," the trainee added.

He even enforced a dress code for his employees, such as a requirement to wear black burkas – to keep ideologies on the same page. Starting with the little things, Abudusaimaiti said they eventually lost their judgment abilities.

"We believed terrorists were doing the right thing killing the police or government officials, (that) Uygurs who work for the government are not true Muslims. We thought they deserve to die, that the killers will go to heaven."

Abudusaimaiti said he felt lucky to be accepted by the vocational training center before he went on a path of no return. Through learning law and policies, he realized if he continued on an extremist path, his future and those of his children and family would hit a dead end.

"One who has been infected with extremism is not him or herself. They could kill or do even worse things if his or her thoughts are infected by extremism. If one's not transformed in time, there will be dire consequences," said Abudusaimaiti.

There are many like him under the influence of terrorism and extremism. Many were coerced or lured into criminal activities. People who study at the centers are those who had committed minor offenses.

"An extremist told us that we must kill all heretics. And we must refuse to live in public housing or walk on the road built by the government. We don't go to school. Praying, learning the Quran and committing to jihad are what we are supposed to do," said Mutalipu, a trainee at the Kashgar educational and vocational training center.

"A man told me during my father's funeral, if I cry, my father will be going to hell. It's bad for him if I cry. Then I listened and stopped crying. Now thinking of that, I feel like a fool," said AIdake who has been studying at the center in Shache County.

One of her classmates told CGTN that she didn't want to take her sick child to a hospital run by Hans, simply because she didn't want to take the heretics' medicine.

Trainees develop occupational skills at the center. / CGTN Photo

In the southern areas of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, women were once not even allowed to wear a dress or put on make-up. Mailiyamu opened a hair salon in 2014 but it was forced to shut down a month later.

"I like to dress up, but people would reject us under the influence of religious extremism. There was a time, I was at a bazaar, an elderly man looked at me and said, 'look at yourself now, why don't you dress more conservatively.' I was so frightened and cried," said the hair salon owner.

A local official told reporters that when she first came to the region in 2012, women were wearing burkas and forbidden to dress in ordinary clothes. And their husbands would not allow them to go to work.

Religious extremism and terrorism are closely linked with each other. In 2014, a serious terrorist attack hit Shache County, causing many casualties.

"Religious extremism inevitably turns into violence and terrorism. Because it goes to extremes, it forces people to do things. Extremists indoctrinate people with their shallow understanding of religion," said Abuduaini, an official from Kashgar's Bureau of Justice.

"For example, dying in a holy war will grant you a path to heaven, is a simple hoax to lure people. One seems normal on this day, and becomes a mob the other," the official added.

Despite the difficulty in solving the issue, training centers are expected to find answers. Twenty-two months have gone without a terrorist attack and the centers are targeting the source of Xinjiang's violent incidents with jobs and education.

Trainees take language classes, learn legal knowledge and develop occupational skills. They come to the centers for a change, and their relatives say they are glad to see the improvement.

"It's been a month since my son came here. Now he looks even better. He looks tall and strong, his skin's even nicer. I almost didn't recognize him," said Gulinishahan, trainee Alimujiang's mother.

Abudukadier could barely speak putonghua before he studied at the Kashgar center. Now the 37-year-old has mastered China's most widely used language.

"People around me, especially the elderly asked me to speak in Arabic. They would call me a heretic if I was speaking in Chinese," said Abudukadier

Six months since admission to the center, he reports having done more than just improve his communication skills.

"I watch the news and feel like my horizons have widened. Before that, I didn't care and couldn't read nor understand."

To help trainees improve, teachers at the center have worked out a plan for those who are less familiar with the language.

"We start with the most basic conversation, for example, what is your name, how many people are there in your family, eventually helping them eradicate extremism," said Xiareyi, a teacher at the center.

Zulipiya is a teaching assistant at the center in Kashgar. She is also a trainee. Three years ago, the college student went on a trip to a foreign country that changed her life.

Women work in a clothing factory in Xinjiang. /VCG Photo

"People wear burkas and live in a way as if they are going to heaven. I thought, what if I go to hell. Then I panicked."

Then she began to spread her thoughts, but now, the trainee is sharing her and other trainees' life stories to help others avoid extremism.

Legal knowledge, including the criminal justice system and anti-terrorism, is a must. Kasenmujiang is a teaching assistant like Zulipiya in Hotan.

"If I hadn't come here, I'd probably have committed illegal acts against the country and the people. I couldn't imagine how wrong the situation could have gone. Extremism had done terrible things to a college student like me, let alone the less educated," said the law teaching assistant.

The centers are also teaching trainees how to make a living, for many were unemployed before coming here. Trainees in the centers can earn money practicing professional skills at companies.

"I earned 2,800 yuan this month. I kept 200 and sent the rest home. My family is very happy, and at the same time, surprised," Maisaidi grinned.

His income will help his family get out of poverty by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Abuduhelili in Hotan County has become the backbone of a local shoe factory, three months after he started the program. He already has plans after graduation from the center.

"I have learned pretty much everything. If I can get a job here, I will be a technician instead of a simple laborer. My annual salary is around 60,000 to 70,000 yuan. With these skills, I can work for someone, or even start a business, and be my own boss," said Abuduhelili.

The centers also set up factories near the trainees' homes for their convenience. Humaguli Abudu graduated in September. She is working in a clothing factory near her home. The 19-year-old said that the center is like a college to her.

"We work and study, and go to activities to understand our country's history and culture. I still have a lot that I hope to learn. I hope I can go back and say hi to my classmates sometimes," said Abudu.

Trainees can also choose to learn the arts and culture. Abudula Abudureyimu loves Peking Opera. However, under the influence of extremism, singing was not allowed in the past.

"My life was gray and pale before, but now it's so colorful. I really like my life now," said Abudureyimu.

Most of the trainees are like him. They have found what they had lost.