The muslim minority group in western China, the Uighurs have found little support form other muslim nations.

“Sorry, but I do not wish you a good Ramadan,” wrote the head of the Uighur Institute of Europe in Paris, in a cri de coeur railing against Muslim countries’ indifference to the plight of Uighurs in China’s far-western Xinjiang region, published by French weekly L’Obs in May.

In the UN there has been a divide between those condemning China and those who have not. Western nations like the US and UK have condemned the treatment of Uighurs. However many Muslim nations have remained silent.

When contrasted by the unilateral condemnation of Myanmar for its military crackdown of Rohingyas Muslims many might wonder why.

However, many Muslim nations like Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have highly valuable trade agreements with Beijing.

“There is less solidarity than there is for the Palestinian or Rohingya causes,” noted Sophie Richardson, director for China at Human Rights Watch. “China has managed to win these countries’ support because they need Chinese investment.”

Read More: France 24