Several reports and investigations have documented cases in which Chinese authorities have converted or repurposed mosques—particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region—into entertainment venues, bars, and cafes as part of a broader “Sinicization” campaign.
Several videos and reports have shown historic mosques in cities such as Kashgar, in Xinjiang, converted into bars and nightclubs where alcohol is sold. Some former mosques in Xinjiang have been transformed into cafes, as noted in reports documenting the changing landscape.
In some cases, demolished mosques, such as the Tokul Mosque in Atush, were replaced by public restrooms that often remained closed and unused—a move observers describe as a deliberate and symbolic act intended to undermine Uyghur religious identity.
The Chinese government has denied the allegations of abuse, asserting that the modifications are part of a voluntary “consolidation” effort to reduce the economic burden on believers and modernize the facilities. However, international organizations and human rights experts describe these actions as a “calculated strategy” of cultural repression.
Several videos and reports have shown historic mosques in cities such as Kashgar, in Xinjiang, converted into bars and nightclubs where alcohol is sold. Some former mosques in Xinjiang have been transformed into cafes, as noted in reports documenting the changing landscape.
In some cases, demolished mosques, such as the Tokul Mosque in Atush, were replaced by public restrooms that often remained closed and unused—a move observers describe as a deliberate and symbolic act intended to undermine Uyghur religious identity.
The Chinese government has denied the allegations of abuse, asserting that the modifications are part of a voluntary “consolidation” effort to reduce the economic burden on believers and modernize the facilities. However, international organizations and human rights experts describe these actions as a “calculated strategy” of cultural repression.
