The Uyghurs are a Turkic people group dwelling in ancient oasis cities ringing the Taklamakan Desert of what is now Xinjiang, China. Kashgar is known for being a hotbed for conservative Islam and Uyghur nationalist and separatist sentiment. Kashgar is a strategic city.

Dongxiang means “eastern villages” hinting that the Dongxiang came from further west of China. There are possibly 200 Christians among the Dongxiang. The Dongxiang's "three treasures", apricots, melons and other fruits, enjoy good reputation throughout China.

Three different types of Uyghurs can be identified: The first group comprises intellectuals, public servants and political leaders. They are indoctrinated by atheistic teachings, yet many of them follow Islamic cultural traditions. ...