Why Is China Paying Informants to Rat Out Bearded Neighbors?

"Authorities in western China's restive, Muslim-majority Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region are offering rewards to locals who inform on their neighbors for 'wearing beards,' government-controlled media reported this week. Islamic liturgy recommends that Muslim men wear beards.

"In recent months, local officials have tightened religious restrictions on Xinjiang's ethnic Uighurs, in response to a series of armed attacks that were allegedly perpetrated by Uighur separatists. Many Uighurs accuse Chinese authorities of religious repression, and say economic development measures in their home region benefit mostly ethnic Han people, who are the majority in China.

"Informants in parts of Xinjiang's Aksu prefecture, an epicenter of the region's ethnic tensions, can earn anywhere from $8 to $8,000 for reporting their neighbors' illegal religious or 'separatist activity' — which can now include facial hair, according to Chinese newspaper The Global Times."

The TYT Power Panel of Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz, John Iadarola and Lissette Padilla discuss Chinese claims of supporting religious freedom while oppressing ethnic Uighurs.

For more on this story, read the Al-Jazeera story by Massoud Hayoun here:

**********

The Largest Online News Show in the World. Hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian. LIVE STREAMING weekdays 6-8pm ET.

Young Turk (n), 1. Young progressive or insurgent member of an institution, movement, or political party. 2. Young person who rebels against authority or societal expectations. (American Heritage Dictionary)

The Young Turks (Winner - Best Political Podcast & Best Political News Site of 2009) were the first original talk show on Sirius satellite radio and the first live, daily webcast on the internet. But that is not the revolution.

We are a rare show that combines all of the news that people care about in one place. We are not afraid to talk about politics and entertainment and sports and pop culture. But that is not the revolution either.

The real revolution is in daring to be honest with people. We don't patronize our viewers or lie to them. We have real conversations and deliver the news honestly.

Download audio and video of the full two hour show on-demand + the members-only post game show by becoming a member athttp://www.tytnetwork.com/tytmembership. Your membership supports the day to day operations and is vital for our continued success and growth.

Join The Young Turks Network mailing listhttps://www.tytnetwork.com/secure/sign-up-free/

or Support The Young Turks by Subscribinghttp://www.youtube.com/user/theyoungturks?sub_confirmation=1

Like Us on Facebook:
Follow Us on Twitter:

Support TYT for FREE by doing your Amazon shopping through this link (bookmark it!)

Get your TYT Merch: orhttp://theyoungturks.spreadshirt.com/