Uyghur Civilization: Forgotten, or Deliberately Erased?

As an Ancient Civilization Vanishes, Which Side Does Humanity Stand On?

In the heart of Asia, in the ancient shadow of the Tian Shan and Altai Mountains, the Uyghur civilization stands as one of the brightest and deepest pages in human history. The name, which lies at the root of the word "civilized," points not only to a people but also to the cradle of science, art, and a profound cultural heritage. These lands have witnessed the timeless knowledge of Uyghur scientists, who, with a 10,000-year medical history, made discoveries that guide modern medical education.

The Tarim Mummies, dating back to 1800 BC, and the Ürümqi mummies, bearing Turkish genetic characteristics from a thousand years ago, prove how deep the roots of Uyghur civilization extend. These ancient lands were not only a center of intellectual thought but also of practical ingenuity; 5,000 kilometers of underground waterways, engineering marvels that defied nature, irrigated the deserts and brought life to bloom.

Formation of Uyghur Identity and Historical Heritage

East Turkestan, with its vast geography of 1,828,418 km², hosted great Turkic states from the Huns to the Karakhanids, weaving the political and cultural fabric of the region stitch by stitch, leaving a rich legacy. Each played a decisive role in the formation of Uyghur identity and the destiny of Turkestan. The name "Uyghur," an ancient expression found in the Orkhon Inscriptions, was redefined in the modern era by political developments.

At the Tashkent Conference in 1921, it was used by the Soviet Union to describe the most populous Turkic population in the region. Subsequently, it gained official status with the proposal of a Chinese leader in 1937. This process reveals both the historical depth of Uyghur identity and how it was shaped by the political interventions of external powers, and is a clear indicator of how the people's right to self-determination can be manipulated through naming.

Transformation of Faith and Cultural Synthesis

The Uyghurs maintained their Buddhist faith until the 15th century. However, during the Karakhanid period, with the ruler's acceptance of Islam in the first half of the 10th century, Turkic-Islamic culture rapidly spread in the region. The Karakhanids, who made Balasagun and Kashgar their capitals, ensured the mass adoption of Islam, solidifying the Turkic-Islamic synthesis that formed the basis of East Turkestan culture. By the 16th century, Islam had become the dominant faith throughout the country, extending from Turfan to the Kumul steppes.

This transformation is a significant turning point that deeply affected the cultural and spiritual dimension of Uyghur identity. The deep-rooted history of Islam in these lands holds great significance today in the face of attacks on the Uyghur people's freedom of belief.

Resistance, Occupation, and the Threat of Cultural Genocide

East Turkestan has witnessed countless occupations and struggles for independence throughout its history. In 1755, the Manchus, who destroyed the Dzungar Khanate, seized the entire country in 1759. The people resisted the Manchu occupation for a century and, under the leadership of their leader in 1865, drove out the Chinese-Manchu forces and established the Kashgaria State. Kashgaria, which received military support from the Ottoman Empire, became connected to the Caliphate. However, in 1877, with the support of Tsarist Russia, the Chinese-Manchu army reoccupied the country. In 1882, the region was given the Chinese name Xinjiang, meaning "newly occupied territory." The name change is a clear indication of an attempt to erase the historical identity of the people.

Uprisings against Chinese militants, which began in 1931, led to the establishment of the East Turkestan Islamic Republic in Kashgar in 1933. However, the republic was brutally suppressed by military forces loyal to the Soviet Union. Despite the pressures, with the armed resistance that began in 1944, the East Turkestan Republic was declared in Ghulja.

After the republic, which was dissolved in 1946 with Soviet and Chinese intervention after World War II, East Turkestan completely lost its independence with the occupation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1949. Although autonomy was promised in 1955, the autonomy law was not enacted until the late 1980s. History reveals the endless resistance of the Uyghur people and how they were abandoned for the interests of international powers.

Uyghur civilization, beyond its scientific and political achievements, possesses a unique cultural richness. Their food culture leaves unforgettable tastes on the palate, while findings such as men's trousers dating back 3,000 years showcase the deep-rooted history of their clothing culture. Uyghur women stand out with their elegance and clothing that reflects their beliefs. Their poetry, oral, and instrumental music cultures touch souls with their humane words and grace.

Engagement, wedding, and marriage ceremonies, cultural heritage that reveals the deep traditions and social ties of Uyghur society, are the cornerstones that form the soul and identity of the people. As the cultural codes of a civilization are systematically threatened with annihilation today, how can the world remain indifferent?

Humanity's Responsibility and Call for Justice

Bringing to light the rich history and cultural heritage of Uyghur civilization is vital for the Uyghur people to understand their identity and past. The nations of the world must recognize the Uyghurs not only in the context of the genocide and occupation they are subjected to, but also as the heirs of a unique civilization.

Turkic-Islamic states, Islamic countries, and all humanity must not remain silent for the end of the genocide and occupation carried out by China in East Turkestan; their sensitivity for the end of the occupation and genocide of the ancient Uyghur people is not only a matter for the Uyghurs but also for human dignity and universal human rights.

While history will not forgive those who remain silent, when will we heed the call? When will justice be served in Uyghur lands? Not only history, but conscience is also being silenced… Why is the voice of the Uyghurs still not heard?

Halis ÖZDEMİR