This refers to the report, “Envoy: 21m Chinese Muslims fast in Ramadan,” (July 24) that quotes top Chinese diplomat in Riyadh saying that freedom of faith is the legitimate right of citizens, which is protected in China by its constitution.

We also welcome his statement that no less than 21 million Chinese Muslims fasted during this holy month of Ramadan. The Chinese Ambassador Li Chengwen’s assurance that Muslims are allowed under the country’s constitution to freely practice other Islamic rituals came as relief, for the Muslim community currently finds itself on the receiving end in each of those countries where it forms a minority.

Not much ago we had this report that Uighurs were forced to break their fast in China and that students from a Chinese university were recently told not to fast otherwise their education will be scrapped.

The ambassador will also do well to throw light on these allegations, which may not be out of context. The Chinese political establishment is known for its own deep-rooted conservative attitude, not based on any logic, as regards religious tolerance, more so when it comes to dealing with Muslims and Islam. By doing so, the country — that found its mention in one of the very popular Hadiths of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and which Muslims generally show respect for — does little to take Muslims into its confidence. This will always lead to a mutual distrust, which is uncalled for and which is not in the interest of anyone. On the Israeli repression in Gaza, the ambassador’s views is commendable. I appreciate when he says: “We cannot forget the Palestinian people in Gaza and Muslims who are suffereing in other parts of the region.”

I wonder if China could play an active role in resolving the Israeli conflict that has brought about much chaos in the Middle East region!

Bakhtiyar Khan

Dammam