On China's front line against terrorism in Xinjiang

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Extremism has cast a long shadow over Seriqbuya, a town in southern Xinjiang home to some 50,000 people. Most are Uyghurs.

In April 2013, serious violence raided the town, taking the lives of 21 people, including 15 police officers and community staffs. Six of the attackers were shot dead and another 8 were captured.

Serious violence took place in the town of Seriqbuya on April 23, 2013, taking lives of 21 people.

35-year-old Tayir Ehat was one of the security staff who died in the violence, leaving behind a family including two children and a grieving mother.

“How I wish my son could still be living with me. I got the message that he died 3 days after the attacks. I was praying for him to come home. And the waiting was so painful,” said Uxurhan Wali, Ehat’s 76-year-old mother.

Uxurhan Wali, Ehat’s 76-year-old mother

Uxurhan says she hates violence, but nothing can bring back her son. She hopes he did not die in vain, and that Seriqbuya could become peaceful once again.

Havagul Abudurim is a community official posted to Seriqbuya after the violent attacks 3 years ago. The violence has changed her life, and her views on the fight against terrorism. She's maintained a vigilance against terrorism ever since.

Havagul Abudurim

“My work is mainly to meet and talk with the grassroots people, especially those focus groups that could have potential threats to security, educating them to maintain stability. Young people with no jobs are our priority to talk with,” said Havagul.

Havagul says most religious extremists are young people, usually unemployed, who have been radicalized. They include Emat Axim’s nephew, Osman Muhammet, who took part in the violence and was sentenced to 9 years in prison. Osman’s uncle has no idea why his nephew got involved, and says young people need support.

Emat Axim, uncle of Osman Muhammet, an extremist who took part in the violence and was sentenced to 9 years in prison

“In order to resist the invasion of extreme terrorist thoughts, we have to do whatever it takes in line with the law. Children should have access to education that contributes to regional stability,” he said.

Xinjiang has been subject to frequent extremist activities over the past years. The government says that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is behind the unrest. Those terrorist attacks do not represent any ethnic group or religion, and the fight against terrorism is not an ethnic or a religious problem, but a long-term effort to safeguard unity.