ethnic violence in Urumqi between China's predominant Han ethnic group and Uighurs

A Uighur vendor sells fresh milk outside a small mosque before Friday prayers in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. Mosques in the regional capital Urumqi were closed after ethnic violence in Urumqi between China's predominant Han ethnic group and Uighurs, a Muslim minority that has called Xinjiang home for thousands of years

Uighur men, some carrying their prayer mats, wait outside a mosque after they were refused to enter for their Friday prayers in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. Mosques in the regional capital Urumqi were closed after ethnic violence in Urumqi between China's predominant Han ethnic group and Uighurs, a Muslim minority that has called Xinjiang home for thousands of years

An elderly Uighur woman with a veil over her head waits for alms near a mosque during Friday prayers in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. Mosques in the regional capital Urumqi were closed after ethnic violence in Urumqi between China's predominant Han ethnic group and Uighurs, a Muslim minority that has called Xinjiang home for thousands of years

Chinese police maintain security as passengers arrive at the railway station in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. Thousands of fearful people poured into bus and train stations to escape China's Urumqi city after deadly ethnic unrest, as several mosques were ordered shut for the main Muslim day of prayer

Passengers wait outside the railway station in Urumqi, in China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. Thousands of fearful people poured into bus and train stations to escape China's Urumqi city after deadly ethnic unrest, as several mosques were ordered shut for the main Muslim day of prayer.

Chinese riot police patrol the streets in their truck in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on late July 9, 2009. Thousands of fearful people poured into bus and train stations to escape China's Urumqi city after deadly ethnic unrest, as several mosques were ordered shut for the main Muslim day of prayer.

Chinese riot police stand at a street corner after several people were detained in a disturbance along a street in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on late July 10, 2009. Thousands of fearful people poured into bus and train stations to escape China's Urumqi city after deadly ethnic unrest, as several mosques were ordered shut for the main Muslim day of prayer.

Chinese policemen talk with an elderly Muslim man at a street corner after several people were detained in a disturbance along a street in Urumqi, China's farwest Xinjiang region on late July 10, 2009. Thousands of fearful people poured into bus and train stations to escape China's Urumqi city after deadly ethnic unrest, as several mosques were ordered shut for the main Muslim day of prayer


Turks pray during funeral prayers for Uighur victims who were killed in China’s Xinjiang region, in the Turkish capital Ankara, on July 10, 2009. Thousands of Turks and Uighur expatriates took to the streets across Turkey after Friday prayers, protesting the violence in Xinjiang and burning Chinese flags and products


Uighur student Mihray Isa cries as Turks pray during funeral prayers for Uighur victims who were killed in China’s Xinjiang region, in Turkish capital Ankara on July 10, 2009.

Uighur student Mihray Isa (C) cries as Turks pray (out of camera range) during funeral prayers for Uighur victims who were killed in China’s Xinjiang region, in the Turkish capital Ankara on July 10, 2009. Thousands of Turks and Uighur expatriates took to the streets across Turkey after Friday prayers, protesting the violence in Xinjiang and burning Chinese flags and products

Chinese soldiers march behind a flag near the central mosque in Kashgar in, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009

Chinese soldiers are seen in front of the central mosque in Kashgar in, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009

Chinese soldiers gather near the main square in Kashgar, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009.

Hundreds of Chinese soldiers pour onto the main square in Kashgar, China's farwest Xinjiang region on July 10, 2009. US lawmakers came to the defense of Rebiya Kadeer, the leader of exiles from China's Uighur minority, after Beijing accused the US-based activist of fomenting the country's deadliest ethnic violence in decades.