China Bans Muslims Wearing 'Abnormal' Beards or Veils

China has announced that it is implementing new measures including a ban on 'abnormal' beards in its heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang. Veils have also been banned in public places along with refusing to watch or listen to state media, as part of the new 'Regulations on Extremisation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.'

A number of bans on 'extremist behaviour' have been previously introduced in the province home to 10 million Muslims. China claims that the legal, cultural and religious rights of Muslims in Xinjiang are fully protected.

However many Muslim Uighur people resent increasing restrictions on their culture and religion and complain they are denied economic opportunities amid an influx of Han Chinese into the province.