China, on Monday, banned Islamic names for babies in their Country. This rule is limited to the Xinjiang province and prohibits names like Islam, Quran, Mecca, Jihad, Imam, Mecca, Imam, Hajj, Medina and Saddam. The area has a majority Muslim population and Islamic names will deny access to education and government benefits, said a leading rights group.
Authorities of Xinjiang have prohibited dozens of names that have religious connotations. The officials felt that this could ‘exaggerate religious fervor’ in the people. This has been included in the ruling “Naming Rules For Ethnic Minorities” by the Chinese Communist party.
Children with names from the list will not be eligible for ‘hukou’ or registration. This household registration in China is to have access to public school and all the social services. This is, allegedly, China’s measures as a part of the fight against terrorism in the Xinjiang region. This rule is part of many regulations that restrict religious freedoms in the region under the disguise of countering ‘religious extremism.’
The government also said that there will be a strict punishment to all those who neglect this law and name their children from the banned names list, of the Chinese Communist Party.
