China Bans ‘Islam,’ ‘Quran,’ ‘Jihad,’ ‘Mecca,’ ‘Hajj’!!!

China has banned dozens of Islamic names like 'Saddam' and 'Jihad' for babies belonging to the restive Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, in a move that would prevent children from getting access to education and government benefits.

The authorities have recently banned dozens of names with religious connotations common to Muslims around the world on the basis that they could "exaggerate religious fervour." Islam, Quran, Mecca, Jihad, Imam, Saddam, Hajj, and Medina are among dozens of baby names banned under ruling Chinese Communist Party's "Naming Rules For Ethnic Minorities."

Children with banned names will not be able to obtain a "hukou," or household registration, essential for accessing public school and other social services. The new measures are part of China's fight against terrorism in this troubled region, home to 10 million Muslim Uyghur ethnic minority.

This is the latest in a slew of new regulations restricting religious freedom in the name of countering religious extremism. Conflicts between the Uyghur and the Han, the majority ethnic group in China who control the government, are common in Xinjiang.

On April 1, Xinjiang authorities imposed new rules prohibiting the wearing of "abnormal" beards or veils in public places, and imposing punishments for refusing to watch state TV or radio programmes.