Beijing, March 21 -- Chinese officials in Xinjiang are making Uyghurs labour throughout Ramadan to keep them from fasting and praying as the Islamic holy month prescribes in the northwest of China, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Last week, videos of Uyghurs engaged in mass forced labour during Ramadan went viral on social media. According to RFA, some worked in the fields, while others did cleaning.

Amid China's broader, systematic persecution of Uyghurs and their culture, the RFA report noted that the action is one of several steps taken by authorities to outlaw religious rituals among the approximately 12 million Uyghurs, the most of whom are Muslims, who reside in Xinjiang.

During Ramadan, which this year takes place from Feb...