BEIJING, China: The Chinese authorities have imposed a ban on people with head scarves, veils and long beards from boarding buses in Karamay city in the country’s northwestern region of Xinjiang.
The state media reports said that five types of passengers including those who wear veils, head scarves, a loose-fitting garment called a Hijab, clothing with the crescent moon and star and those with long beards, will be prohibited from boarding buses in the city.
The reports said that the rules were intended to help strengthen security through August 20 during an athletics event and would be enforced by security teams.
“Those who do not comply, especially those five types of passengers, will be reported to the police,” the reports said.
Xinjiang is home to the Muslim Uighur people who speak a Turkic language and has been beset for years by violence that the government blames on Islamist militants or separatists.