Harming her family
The Global Times reporters also visited Kahar's house and met with Rebiya's two granddaughters.
The 50-square-meter living room and exquisite furniture revealed the family's affluent life.
Aydidar Kahar, who is 23 years old, told the Global Times that her impression of her grandmother came from images on TV and relatives' accounts. "I used to ask, 'is this person my grandmother?' My parents told me that she went abroad and had gone astray," Aydidar said, noting that many of her classmates asked about her grandmother out of curiosity.
"I felt embarrassed with what she has done and did not want to mention her to others," she said.
What Rebiya has done also harms her granddaughter Kedirye Keyser. "When things happened in 2009 in Urumqi, I was in high school," said Kedirye, recalling the July 5, 2009 riot. "I was depressed about what grandmother did and had to leave school for one year. I cooked and read books to help myself get over the period."
"She [Rebiya] constantly accused the Chinese government of engaging in Uygur cultural genocide. But we can sing Uygur songs and dance, as well as dress in traditional Uygur clothes. The schools offer favorable policies," Kedirye said.
Engineered by "East Turkestan" terrorists inside and outside of China, the July 5, 2009 riot caused 197 deaths and injured 1,700. A total of 331 stores and 1,325 vehicles were smashed and burned, and many public facilities were damaged, according to a white paper released by the State Council Information Office. Rebiya was believed to be involved in plotting the riots.
Like other girls her age, Aydidar likes watching TV programs. She is a big fan of Hong Kong actor Louis Koo. She told the Global Times that she currently watches the TV series "Why Women Kill."
She said that she would ask nothing from her future boyfriend except to be nice to her.
In response to Rebiya's remarks on Uygur people having no freedom in Xinjiang, Aydidar said "No one ever oppresses us. Freedom is to do what we like in accordance with laws. There was no freedom when some Xinjiang women were forced by people who were influenced by extremism to wear the burqa years ago. I hope grandmother can stop spreading rumors and disturbing our peaceful life."
