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The '''Uighur''' (pronounced wē-gu̇r) ethnic group is a [[Turkic]] ethnic group originally from the [[Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]] in [[China]].  The Uighurs practice [[Islam]].   

The '''Uighur''' (pronounced wē-gu̇r) ethnic group is a [[Turkic]] ethnic group originally from the [[Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]] in [[China]]; the Uighurs call it "East Turkestan", and demand more autonomy.  The Uighurs practice [[Islam]].   

==2009==

==2009==

In July 2009 large scale rioting has erupted as Uighurs fought Chinese riot police in major cities in China's western Xinjiang province. Over 140 people are dead.  Chinese officials blamed Rebiya Kadeer, a Uighur businesswoman who was jailed for years in China before being released into exile in the US where she now heads the World Uighur Congress, for "masterminding" the unrest. Exiled Uighurs blame Chinese repression.  Uighurs are angry at political, cultural and religious persecution as well as the growing presence in the region of Han Chinese - China's main ethnic group. This is the first major violent unrest in China in years.

In July 2009 large scale rioting erupted as Uighurs fought Chinese riot police in major cities in China's western Xinjiang province. Over 150 people are dead.  Chinese officials blamed Rebiya Kadeer, a Uighur businesswoman who was jailed for years in China before being released into exile in the US where she now heads the World Uighur Congress, for "masterminding" the unrest.<ref> See [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/world/asia/07kadeer.html?ref=world Wrik Eckholm, "China Points to Another Leader in Exile," ''New York Times'' July 6, 2009]</ref>  Exiled Uighurs blame Chinese repression.  Uighurs are angry at political, cultural and religious persecution as well as the growing presence in the region of Han Chinese - China's main ethnic group. Han now predominate in the cities, and Uighurs in the countryside. This is the first major violent unrest in China in two decades.

==History==

==History==