Women wearing burqas illustration

 

 

 

 

A woman was arrested, charged and convicted of provoking trouble after being accused of wearing a burqa in public, prosecutors in China said.

Now, she was sentenced to serve two years in prison.

Her 38-year-old husband was also convicted of provoking trouble for growing a beard. He received a six year prison sentence.

The court in Kashgar, heard that the couple decided to provoke people and cause trouble by following extreme Islam. The man began growing his beard several years ago, and was warned numerous times to shave, but he ignored those orders.

His wife walked on the streets wearing a veil, which hid her face. Police in Xinjiang, have been campaigning against men growing beards, a practice officials associate with extremist ideas.

A campaign called "Beauty Project" also encourages women to leave their heads uncovered and abandon the veil, a relatively common practice among Muslims in Xinjiang.

The couple had received numerous warnings before being arrested and charged,prosecutors told the court.