Muslims celebrate despite blizzard
(Beijing Time)
Updated: 2006-01-11 09:56

Eevn a catastrophic blizzard could not stop Muslims in Altay Prefecture, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, from celebrating the joyous Islamic festival of Corban yesterday.

Muslims in Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region celebrate Corban Festival in the face of a catastrophic blizzard on Tuesday.(Photo: Xinhua)

Early yesterday morning, 74-year-old Haysa, a herdsman of Kelatongke Town of Fuyun County, began slaying a fat sheep after singing religious sutras at a local mosque.

Haysa said he would use the mutton to treat people coming back home from the far-away winter pasture, surviving the deadly blizzard in Xinjiang. He also planned to treat local people who helped protect herdsmen and others, as well as livestock.

"Without the help of the local government, my kids might have died on the way home," said Haysa.

Most parts of the region have been hit by continuous heavy snowfall and drastic temperature drops since December 29. That left herdsmen and their livestock stranded in winter pastures.

According to the regional disaster relief authorities, 97,000 people were evacuated from the blizzard-affected areas.Authorities said the heavy snowfall has affected some 622,000 people in Altay, Tacheng and Ili prefectures of northern Xinjiang, stranding 224,800 people and killing 9,234 head of livestock.

As two of the worst affected areas, Fuyun, the home county of Haysa, and Qinghe of Altay recorded a total snowfall of more than 60cm, with the thickness of the snow reaching one meter in some mountainous areas.

Due to heavy snows, many herdsmen planned to give up celebrations during the festival and brave the blizzards to help their relatives with livestock on the winter pastures back home, Haysa said.

"But, before we set out, more than 200 trucks dispatched by the local government had arrived at the winter pastures and transported our sheep and cows back to our home," Haysa said. "The government also sent coal, cotton-padded quilts and food to our relatives staying at the winter pastures."

Also as happy as Haysa was Tihike, a young herdsman of Tiemaike Town. He and his fellow herdsmen brought more than 400 cows and sheep safely back home before the Corban Festival.

"I myself might have had to suffer from starvation and severe cold and most of my cows and sheep might have died if not for the careful arrangement and help given by the township government," said Tihike.

The festive joy and happiness can be felt at the homes of many blizzard-affected herdsmen in Fuyun County.

Herdsmen prepared sumptuous festive foods, such as sugar, cheese, snacks and boiled mutton. Wearing brightly colored festive dresses, herdsmen are enjoying visits with friends, family reunions and outdoor entertainment activities.

"We thank the government for making it possible for herdsmen to celebrate," said one village chief.