Monday, April 27, 2009

China | Xinjiang | Dragon Fighter

Rebiya Kadeer

There is a new book out about Rebiya Kadeer, from Urumqi, in Xinjiang Province, who was once reputed to be the richest women in China and was later arrested and thrown into prison on what was widely considered to be trumped-up charges. (Among other suspicious activities, she once met with evil Microsoft potentate Bill “666” Gates.) See Dragon Fighter: One Woman's Epic Struggle for Peace with China.

Despite being persona non grata in China her name is still displayed on the front of one of the department stores she owned in Urumqi (in Uighur Arabic Script). Interestingly, the Uighurs originated in Mongolia—the ruins of their Old Capital City can still be seen in Arkhangai Aimag, north of Kharkhorin. And of course, the Mongolian Vertical Script is based on the old Uighur Vertical Script . . .