ANKARA
The Chinese government has banned government employees and students from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
Various local government agencies carried news of the ban on fasting and similar religious practices in government offices and local public institutions on their websites Thursday.
Schools and educational institutions also said that teachers and students should abstain from fasting.
The South China Morning Post - a Hong Kong based English language newspaper - reported Thursday that government agencies have implemented the same practices in northwestern Xinjiang region and nearby provinces for many years.
In previous years, the Beijing government has banned fasting "for the health of government employees." Warning notices have also been published stating that government officials cannot fast.
Certain government agencies have been reported to distribute free food coupons during Ramadan.
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