An expert from the China Islamic Association says the Urumqi riots were not ethnic conflict, and have nothing to do with the religion. He says the unrest contradicts the Islamic spirit of peace and stability.

Adiljan Haji Kerem, vice president of China Islamic Association,said, "There are over 10 million Muslims in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and about 25 thousand mosques. No religious figures were involved in the riots. They were nothing more than riots, and we must punish them severely."