CFU Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 24, 2020, 1:00 p.m. EST
Contact: [email protected]
www.campaignforuyghurs.org

Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU) is delighted to congratulate Muyesser Abdul’ehed Hendan on her inclusion in the BBC’s List of 100 Women 2020. Muyesser’s work to establish Ayhan Education, an organization that teaches the Uyghur language in the diaspora, highlights the continuing need to address the many challenges faced by Uyghurs outside of East Turkistan as they struggle to preserve culture and language, often while confronted with enormous personal, financial, and political pressures. 

Speaking on her inclusion, CFU Executive Director Rushan Abbas stated that “In spite of what has happened to our people, Muyesser is fighting to keep the Uyghur identity alive, and is serving Uyghur children by founding the Ayhan language school, even writing a book on China’s crimes against humanity! Muyesser’s work reminds me of the power of Uyghur women, and I am thankful to have Muyesser as a personal inspiration for my own work.“ 

Uyghur women and children in the diaspora are affected by the genocide in particularly difficult ways, and we remind the international community that beyond stopping this horrific genocide, there are also refugees who are in need of financial, educational, and cultural support. 

During a recent trip to Turkey, CFU staff members spoke with Uyghur women in Istanbul about the obstacles to preserving their heritage while dealing with personal crises. Creative means of addressing these issues were raised, and CFU remains in awe of the strength of women to persevere. 

We encourage all of our supporters to consider how they might be more involved in supporting Uyghurs in the diaspora, and as always, CFU remains dedicated to serving as a resource for those who wish to empower women and youth for advocacy.