Mosques reopen in Urumqi

BEIJING, July 17 (UPI) -- All of the mosques in the China's Xinjiang regional capital of Urumqi were opened Friday for prayers, Chinese officials said.

Several imams requested some of the city's 433 mosques be closed last week after rioting July 5 in which at least 192 people died, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

One resident said he noticed a stronger police presence around one mosque in Urumqi Friday, Xinhua said.

"More security staff are sent here. Members of the congregation must open their bags for (to be checked) before entering the mosque," the man said.

While the mosques were opened, imams reportedly told people to pray at home.

"According to the doctrines of the Koran, Muslims can perform rituals at home Friday but not necessarily at mosques if there is social unrest or war, or their families are sick," an imam told Xinhua.