A Call for Muslims to “Fast From China” This Ramadan

Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign: A Call for Muslims to “Fast From China” This Ramadan

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem,

Dear brothers and sisters, as we enter the blessed month of Ramadan, a time of reflection, worship, and mercy, we are reminded not only of our physical fast from food and drink but also of the importance of fasting from actions that compromise our faith and values. This Ramadan, we call on you to join us in a deeper commitment—to “Fast From China” and avoid supporting brands that are complicit in the forced labor and genocide of our Uyghur brothers and sisters in China.

Allah (SWT) commands us in the Qur’an:

“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:2)

By supporting companies that directly or indirectly benefit from Uyghur forced labor, we become complicit in the oppression of an entire people, violating this divine injunction. During this holy month, let us strive to ensure that our actions align with our faith and that we protect our wealth from being used to perpetuate human suffering.

The reports are clear. Several clothing and food brands have been implicated in links to forced labor within the Uyghur Muslim population in Chinese-occupied East Turkistan. These Uyghur Muslims are subjected to unimaginable hardships—tortured, enslaved, and deprived of their basic rights. As Muslims, we must not stand idly by while our brothers and sisters endure this injustice.

Whilst there are hundreds of brands implicated in Uyghur slavery, we have made a targeted list of clothing and food brands which have been identified as being part of supply chains that exploit our Uyghur brothers and sisters:

Clothing Brands:

• Shein, Temu, Nike, Adidas, Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Patagonia, The North Face, Puma, Fila, Gap, Marks & Spencer, Abercrombie & Fitch, Muji, Skechers, New Balance, Jack & Jones, Hugo Boss, Fendi, Balenciaga, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Bestseller, Esprit, Urban Outfitters, C&A, Guess, Lululemon, Mango, Michael Kors, Primark, River Island, S.Oliver, Vans, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, Free People, ASOS, Boohoo, Zara, Columbia.

Food Brands:

• Kraft Heinz Co., Campbell Soup Co., Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola,, Procter & Gamble.

Our Prophet ﷺ taught us:

“The best charity is giving water to drink, and the best form of justice is speaking the truth before an unjust ruler.” (Hadith – Ahmad)

This Ramadan, let us not only fast from food and drink but also from supporting corporations that profit from the enslavement of our fellow Muslims. Every dollar spent on these brands directly funds a system of oppression, and we are called to be a voice for the voiceless, to stand for justice in all its forms.

We ask you to be mindful of your purchases this month. Let us strive to be a source of support for the oppressed, standing with our Uyghur brothers and sisters in their struggle for freedom and dignity. Let us not allow our faith to be tainted by complicity in such heinous crimes.

May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts, guide our hearts to justice, and free the oppressed. May He make us among those who stand for truth and uphold justice, not just in words but in actions.

As Muslims, we are commanded to uphold justice and avoid aiding oppression in any form. Allah says in the Qur’an, “And do not cooperate in sin and aggression. But cooperate in righteousness and piety.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:2). The Chinese government’s systematic persecution of Uyghur Muslims—through forced labor, concentration camps, and the erasure of their Islamic identity—is funded by its thriving economy.

When we purchase ‘Made in China’ products, we inadvertently fuel the very system that enables this oppression. Every dollar spent strengthens industries complicit in Uyghur forced labor and emboldens a regime that seeks to wipe out our Muslim brothers and sisters. Just as we avoid haram earnings, we must strive to avoid contributing to a haram economy built on injustice and slavery. While it may be difficult to boycott China entirely, we must make every effort to reduce our dependence, seek ethical alternatives, and stand firm against injustice—for the sake of Allah and the oppressed.

For a comprehensive list of companies tainted with Uyghur forced labor click here.

Ameen.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your commitment to justice.

Justice For All – Save Uyghur Campaign