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Teacher's saga in riots: ethnic unity prevails

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-08 21:47

The couple suffered only minor injuries like bruises to the head and cuts to their arms.

"It is the first time that I have encountered such violence in my life," Zhao said, "but I am lucky enough to have help from far more good people other than rioters."

The deadly violence Zhao encountered on Sunday night has so far left at least 156 people dead and 1,103 others injured.

Related readings:  Public calls for efforts to restore order in Xinjiang  Blood donations pour in after Urumqi riots  Urumqi steps up security measures  Measures to curb violence increased in Urumqi  Death toll in Xinjiang riot rises to 156  Ravaged by riot, Xinjiang's capital in horror  Police arrests 1,434 suspects in Xinjiang riot  Death toll in Xinjiang riot rises to 140, still climbing

"I just want to say thanks to the taxi driver, the Uygur woman, the Uygur couple, the doctors, nurses and dozens more who helped me go through the violence though I did not know their names," he said.

After the deadly violence that shocked the country and the world, Zhao was greeted by calls from his Uygur students, who had returned to their homes before the riots happened.

"I reassured my students that I am OK," Zhao said, "We met far more good guys than rioters and the help to us offered by Uygur ethnics was much greater than the harm rioters brought to us."

Zhao and his wife planned to fly back to Shanghai on Friday but his promises to his Uygur students remained.

"I have promised my students to accompany them back home for every summer holiday until they graduate from high school," Zhao said, "I also plan to visit Kanas next year."

Zhao's face turned soft when talking about his Uygur students.

"They are all good children and good students. Many of them are from needy families but they all have ambitions to bring their hometown out of poverty," Zhao said. "I often told them that only by studying hard can them realize their dreams to bring prosperity for their families and their hometown."

Zhao said in their school, many teachers and the headmaster frequently help the Uygur students, economically and mentally, buying necessities and opening a Muslim canteen for the Uygur students.

"Our help to and care of each other are from the deepest corner of our hearts," he said, "We are all of one big family."

Zhao said when his students go back to school after the summer holidays he would help them understand the responsibility they are shouldering.

"I will tell them that education is very important, not only for themselves, but for their families and our country," he said.

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