A research organization says Chinese authorities have demolished at least 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang.

Most of the destruction took place three years ago, with an estimated 8,500 mosques completely destroyed. According to the report, the biggest damage occurred in urban areas such as Urumqi and Kashgar.

Malaysian Muslim leaders deplore the policy of "Sinicisation" by the Chinese government as a policy to change the characteristics and culture of Muslims.

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