China: Curbs imposed on Muslims during Ramadan

Nine rules put in place to "maintain stability".

Although for the life of them, the New York Times can't figure out why. Just because "some Islamic extremists have used Ramadan as a symbolic backdrop for attacks on their perceived enemies" why pick on all Islamic extremists?

Poor confused, gray lady without lipstick. They just can't figure out why the Chinese would "run the risk of antagonizing devout Muslims who present no obvious security threat."

No obvious security threat...that's the crackerjack NY Times for you.

Local governments in a Muslim desert region in western China have imposed strict limits on religious practices during the traditional Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began last week, according to the Web sites of four of those governments.

The rules include prohibiting women from wearing veils and men from growing beards, as well as barring government officials from observing Ramadan. One town, Yingmaili, requires that local officials check up on mosques at least twice a week during Ramadan.

Read it all here.