“Uyghurs (or Uighurs, Uygurs) are ethnically and culturally a Turkic people living in the areas of Central Asia commonly known as East Turkestan. Today, Uyghurs practice a moderate   form of Islam and lead predominantly secular lives. There are an estimated 20 million Uyghurs living in East Turkestan and abroad, though Chinese sources put the number at 11.2 million… the existence of the Uyghur nation is under threat as the Chinese government continues to carry out deliberate policies opposing centuries-old tradition, culture & religion. Human rights violations remain pervasive including persecution on cultural and religious grounds, arbitrary arrests and the silencing of peaceful dissent.” – The World Uyghur Congress