Uyghur Muslims

The Uyghurs have traditionally inhabited a series of oases scattered across the Taklamakan Desert within the Tarim Basin. These oases have historically existed as independent states or were controlled by many civilizations including China, the Mongols, the Tibetans and various Turkic polities. The Uyghurs gradually started to become Islamized in the 10th century, and most Uyghurs identified as Muslims by the 16th century. Islam has since played an important role in Uyghur culture and identity. Uyghur Muslim are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia, their closest linguistic cousins are the Uzbeks.  The Uyghurs are recognized by the Chinese government as a regional minority and the titular people of Xinjiang.


 Related pages 
 Islam in China
 Balti people, Muslims of Tibetan ancestry that live in Baltistan, Pakistan
 Purigpa, Muslims of Tibetan ancestry that live in Ladakh, Upper Indus Valley
 Turkic peoples
 Religion in Xinjiang

 References 

Category:Turkic peoples
Category:Ethnic groups in China
Category:Islam by country