Ghulam Osman Yaghma (Uyghur: غۇلام ئوسمان; born 16 August 1956 in Artush) is a Canadian Uyghur politician, independence leader, writer, and poet who served as the President of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile from November 2019 - November 2023.[1]
Ghulam Osman Yaghma Ghulam Zulpiqar[citation needed] | |
|---|---|
| غۇلام ئوسمان ياغما | |
 Yaghma in 2019 | |
 4th President of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile | |
| In office 11 November 2019 – 12 November 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ahmatjan Osman |
| Succeeded by | Mamtimin Ala |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 August 1956 Artush, Xinjiang, China |
| Nationality | Uyghur Canadian |
| Residence(s) | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Occupation | Independence leader, political activist, poet and writer |
| Website | Official Website (East-Turkistan.net) |
Early life
editGhulam Osman Yaghma was born in the city of Artush, Xinjiang. Upon finishing high school, he was barred from obtaining post-secondary education by the Chinese government due to his past participation in creating a independence organization "to liberate East Turkistan from Chinese occupation".[2] He served as an instructor of modern Uyghur language, literature and estelistics.
Life in exile
editYaghma fled East Turkistan (Xinjiang) to Kyrgyzstan on 30 April 1996, two days after China launched its "Strike Hard campaign" against separatism.[3] He later fled Central Asia to Turkey in 1999 after he was not permitted to stay in Central Asia. In Turkey he appealed to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees office in Turkey and after three years, in March 2002, Yaghma was given asylum in Canada.[2] Yaghma is fluent in Uyghur and Turkish, and proficient in English and Chinese. He is married and has 8 children, two of which are allegedly incarcerated in the Xinjiang internment camps. He resides in Edmonton, Canada.[4]
East Turkistan Government in Exile
editGhulam Osman Yaghma was re-elected as the President of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile on 11 November 2019 at the government in exile's 8th General Assembly in Washington, DC.[5] He had previously been elected president following the impeachment of the former president in a Special Parliamentary Session in Mugla, Turkey in October 2018.[6] He is the third President of the government in exile since its formation in 2004. Starting in 2009, he had previously served as the Strategic Advisor to the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile. He was elected as the Deputy Prime Minister of the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile at the 7th General Assembly held in Tokyo, Japan from 12 November to 15 November.[7]
Literary works
editGhulam Osman Yaghma, using the pen name "G.O. Zulpiqar"[citation needed] has authored numerous non-fiction books, novels, articles, and poems. "Lost Treasure", "He Is Still in Battle", "Secret Love", "Dulled Sword", "Sound", "Sigh", "The road leads to heaven", "Infatuation" and "Reflection" are among the most read fiction novels written by him. Some of his numerous political orientated books include "Exploring on the Path of East Turkistan Liberation" (3 volumes), "Mirror", and "Tears of East Turkistan" along with three poetic books, and hundreds of video speech and lectures.. He plans on publishing new books: "Heroic Age" (Novel), "Mirage", "Foam", "Letters that Have Not Been Sent."
References
edit- ^ Post, Kathyrn (19 January 2023). "Two years after US recognized Uyghur genocide, rights groups warn time is running out". Religion News Service. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b "President". East Turkistan Government in Exile. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Xinjiang, China's restive Northwest". Human Rights Watch. 8 December 1998. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Province of Alberta (28 February 2011). "Proclamation". The Alberta Gazette. 107 (4). Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- ^ "Summary of the ETGE's 8th General Assembly (November 10–12)". East Turkistan Government in Exile. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Doğu Türkistanlılar cumhurbaşkanını Muğla'da seçti Doğu Türkistan Sürgün Hükümeti 8. dönem toplantısı Muğla'da gerçekleştirildi Yeni Cumhurbaşkanı Gulam Osman Yağmaoğlu yemin ederek görevine başladı". Haber Turk. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Doğu Türkistan Sürgün Hükümeti'nde Yeni Görevler Belli Oldu". Karamanca. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
External links
edit- Ghulam Osman Yaghma on Twitter
- A Muslim Divide in China (Radio Free Asia, 2012; comments about Hui and Uyghur experiences in China)