International Uyghur PEN Centre Adopts New Resolutions to Protect Uyghur Language and Promote Creative Freedom

Introduction: Language as a Fortress of Identity and Faith

In today's world, the existence of a nation is closely tied to the vitality of its language and literature. The International Uyghur PEN Centre, at its recent annual general meeting, adopted a series of historic resolutions aimed at countering the systematic policies of cultural destruction targeting the Uyghur language and culture in East Turkestan. These resolutions are not merely an activity plan for a literary organization; they represent a manifesto of spiritual resistance for the Uyghur people—a part of the global Islamic Ummah—to protect their identity, faith, and freedom. [International Uyghur PEN Centre](https://www.uyghurpen.org/)

Content and Strategic Significance of the New Resolutions

The new resolutions adopted by the International Uyghur PEN Centre primarily cover four major areas:

1. **Digitizing the Uyghur Language and Establishing a Global Archive:** In response to the Chinese government's policies of burning Uyghur books and banning the language in schools, the Centre has launched a project to digitize Uyghur works from around the world and preserve them for future generations. [PEN International](https://www.pen-international.org/) 2. **Translation and Global Advocacy:** Translating and distributing masterpieces of Uyghur literature—especially those focusing on Islamic values and themes of freedom—into Arabic, English, and Turkish to bring the Uyghur issue to the forefront of the global literary agenda. 3. **Campaign to Rescue Detained Writers:** Building international pressure for the freedom of hundreds of intellectuals, such as Rahile Dawut, Perhat Tursun, and Yalqun Rozi, who are currently unjustly imprisoned in Chinese jails. [Uyghur Human Rights Project](https://uhrp.org/) 4. **Mentoring Young Writers in Exile:** Implementing a specialized reward and training system to inspire Uyghur children growing up in the diaspora to create works in their mother tongue.

Islamic Perspective: Language is One of the Signs of Allah

In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty says: "And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors" (Surah Ar-Rum, 22). Therefore, protecting the Uyghur language is not just a national issue; it is an act of worship—a stand against oppressive forces attempting to erase one of the signs (Ayat) of Allah.

Uyghur literature has been an inseparable part of Islamic civilization for centuries. Masterpieces like *Qutadgu Bilig* and *Diwan Lughat al-Turk* are treasures of both Turkic languages and Islamic thought. The efforts of the International Uyghur PEN Centre to protect this language are, in reality, an action to prevent a wing of the Islamic cultural world from being broken. [Radio Free Asia Uyghur](https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/)

The Fate of Intellectuals and the Responsibility of the Ummah

Today, being an intellectual in East Turkestan means being at the very center of danger. By targeting writers, poets, and researchers—the "brain" of Uyghur society—Chinese authorities aim to collapse the spiritual pillars of the people. For instance, the life sentence handed to the renowned folklore scholar Dr. Rahile Dawut is a challenge to the entire global literary and academic community. [The Guardian - Rahile Dawut](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/29/uyghur-scholar-rahile-dawut-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-china)

The Islamic world must not remain silent in the face of this oppression. Muslim writers and intellectuals should stand in solidarity with Uyghur writers and introduce their works to the Arab world. Waging jihad with the pen against oppression is one of the most important requirements of our time.

Creative Freedom and the Victory of Truth

The new resolutions of the International Uyghur PEN Centre place special emphasis on "creative freedom." This freedom is not just political; it refers to the ability of an individual to freely express their faith, history, and emotions. While the Chinese propaganda machine attempts to portray Uyghurs as "happy," the pens of Uyghur writers in exile serve as the sole witnesses to the truth.

According to the Centre's president and other officials, special Uyghur sections will be established at international literary festivals as part of these new resolutions. Through this, it will be declared that the Uyghurs have not perished culturally; on the contrary, they are being reborn with an even stronger will.

Conclusion: The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

These new steps by the International Uyghur PEN Centre represent a major turning point in the struggle to protect the spiritual independence of the Uyghur people. If the language is preserved, the nation is preserved; if the nation is preserved, faith and identity continue. Muslims and people of conscience worldwide must add their voices to these writers and support their righteous struggle.

Oppression does not last forever, but words written with truth remain eternally in the pages of history. The efforts of these Uyghur writers will lay the cultural foundation for a future free East Turkestan.