Hashir Wahidi

Bizning wetinimizning nami bügünki kün’giche « sherqiy türkistan » , « uyghurstan», «shinjang» yaki « shinjang uyghur awtonum rayon» digen her xil namlar bilen atilip keldi. Bu namlarning ichide «shinjang» yaki «shinjang uyghur awtonom rayoni» digen nam xitay basqunchiliri teripidin qoyulghan, toghrisi mejburi téngilghan, uning üstige xitay tilidiki namdur. Shuning üchün biz bu namni qanunsiz’hésaplap, hich qachan étirap qilmiduq we qilmaymiz. Bu nam üstide munazire qilishqa erzimeydu dep hésaplaymiz.

Endi « sherqiy türkistan» we «uyghurstan» digen namlargha kelsek, bu namlarning her’ikkilisiningmu kélip chiqish menbesi we tarixi yiltizliri bar. Mushu namlarning kélip chiqish sewewi uning mezmuni, qollinish da’irisi heqqide ilmiy muhakime ötküzüp, tehlil qilip, toghra xulase chiqirishqa, shu arqiliq bu namlarning qaysisi xata, qaysisi durus, hazirqi tarixi shara’itta qaysi namni qollansaq, bizge muwapiq kélidu - digen so’allargha jawap bérishke toghra kélidu. Biz bu maqalimizda toxtalmaqchi bolghan pikir, aldimizgha qoyup hel qilmaqchi bolghan mesile ene shu.

Aldi bilen «sherqiy türkistan» digen nam üstide qisqiche toxtulup öteyli: bizning tariximizda 9 - 21 - esirlerde, ottura asiyada, qudretlik qaraxaniylar dölitining mewjüt bolghanlighi melum. Qaraxaniylar - uyghur döliti bolsimu, emilyette, ottura asiyada yashighuchi köpligen türky tilliq xelqlerni öz térritoryeliri bilen birleshtürüp, bir bayraq astigha toplighan türkiy xelqlerning ortaq döliti idi. Shuning üchünmu bu döletning nami jughrapiye étiwari bilen «türkistan» dep atalghan idi. Biraq, tarixiy yosunda teshkil tapqan bu birlik we uning türkstan diyilishi anche uzaq mewjut bolup turmidi. Qaraxaniylar xanlighining qol astidiki gherbiy ölkilerde ( hezirqi özbekstan, türükmenstan, qirghizstanlar) höküm sürgen nilik xanlarmiladining 1048 - yili nesir ilik xanining wapatidin kéyin, özlirining milli musteqilligini jakalap, qaraxanilar dölitidin bölünüp chiqidighanlighini élan qildi. Qaraxaniylar xanlighi bolsa, ilik xanning tawghach qaraxan ( 2- derijilik ) ünwani bilen bölünüp chiqip, musteqil dölet bolushqa raziliq berdi. shundaq qilip, büyük qaraxanilar dölitining térotoriyesi ikki qisimgha bölünüp ketti. Bu ikki térotoriyeni jughrapiyilik orunlishishigha qarap, gherb tereptikisini - gherbiy türkistan. Sherq tereptikisini - sherqiy türkstan - dep atashqa bashlidi. Dimek, «sherqiy türkstan» digen nam mana mushundaq tarixiy shara’itta kélip chiqqan. Uning üstige, shu waqitiki tarixi shara’itta «sherqiy türkistan» digen nam peqet tengri téghining jenubinila öz ichige alghan bolup, tengri téghining shimalidiki jungghariyeni öz ichige almaytti. Chünki tengri téghining jenubi - qaraxanilar dölitining térritoriyesi, sherqi we shimali teripi bolsa, idiqut uyghur dölitining térritoriyesi hisaplinatti. Dimek «sherqiy türkstan» digen nam türkistanning sherqiy qismi digen menani bildüridighan jughrapiyelik nam ikenligi, uning üstige uyghurlar wetinining hemmisini öz ichige alalmaydighini öz özidin melum.

Yawropa we ros alimlirining emgekliride «sherqiy türkistan» digen nam 1869 - yilidin kéyin yeni charrosiye jahan’girligi ottura asiya bilen qazaqistanni bésiwalghandin kéyin, qollinishqa bashlighanlighini körimiz. Bu atalghuning keynide bolsa, charrosiyening basqunchiliq süyqesti yoshurun’ghan. Mushundaq atash arqiliq birinchidin, sherqtiki basqunchi xitayning bu zimin’gha bolghan igidarchiliq hoquqi ret qilinsa, ikkinchidin, gherbiy türkistanni bésiwalghandin kéyin, sherqiy türkstanni bésiwélishqa bolidu, digen mentiqi xulase kélip chiqidu. Charrossiye jahan’girligi yoqalghandin kéyin, uning ornigha dessigen sowit sotsiyal jahan’girligi ötmüshtiki impirye tüzimige toluq warisliq qildi. Birla oxshimaydighan yéri - u jahan’gir bowilirining « bölüp tashla, idare qil» digen telimi boyiche ish qilishni ewzel kördi. Shuning üchün 1936 - yiligha kelgende gherbiy türkistanni milli belgüliri boyiche besh itpaqdash jumhuryetke bölüp tashlidi. stalin we uning etrapidikiler gherbiy türkistanni sowit döliti terkiwide bolsimu mewjut bolup turushini özliri üchün xewiplik dep bilgenliktin uni parchilap tashlidi. Shu arqiliq «sherqiy türkistan» digen namning mewjut bolush shertinimu yoqatti. 1933 -yili 11-ayning 12- küni qeshqer shehiride sabit damollam bashchiliqida qurulghan «sherqiy türkistan islam jumhuryiti» ni közge chiqqan sögeldek yaman körüp, axiri qoralliq esker kirgüzüp, pütünley yoqutiwetkenligi tasaddipiy emes. Stalinning 1944 - yili ghuljida qurulghan sherqiy türkistan jumhuryitimu eshu siyasetning qurbani bolghan idi. Ularning mentiqisi boyiche uyghurstan diyarida musteqil milliy dölet wujutqa kelse, sowit ottura asiyadiki we qazaqistandiki qérindashlirigha tesir qilip ularning «sowit itpaqi» dep atalghan impiriye terkiwidin chiqip kétishige yeni musteqil dölet bolup bölünüp kétishige wewep bolarmish! tarixi teqdir shundaq bolup chiqtiki, sowit ottura asiyasi bilen qazaqistan heqiqeten ittipaq terkiwidin bölünüp chiqip, musteqil milli dölet hoquqigha ige boldi. Atalmish «itpaqdash jumhuryetlerning buzulmas birligi» buzuldi. Biraq, bu uyghurstan dölitining tesir qilishi bilen emes, jemiyet tereqqiyatining muqerrer yölinishi süpitide yüz berdi.

Xulase qilip éytqanda:

1. «sherqiy türkistan» dégen nam - melum tarixiy shara’itta wujutqa kelgen jughrapiyelik atalghu bolup, u hich qachan milletning nami bolghan emes.

2. «sherqiy türkistan» digen nam tengri téghining jenubiy qismini öz ichige alidighan nam bolup, bügünki uyghurstan ziminini toluq öz ichige almaydu.

3. «sherqiy türkistan» dep éytish üchün, gherbiy türkistanmu mewjut bolishi kérek. Hazirqi riyalliq shuki, emilyette gherbiy türkistan mewjut emes. U 1936 - yilila parchilinip tashlan’ghan. Mushu parchilinish asasida hazir besh musteqil dölet peyda boldi. Bu döletlerning hemmisi öz millitining nami bilen: qazaqistan, özbekstan, qirghistan, türkmenstan we tajikstan dep atalmaqta. Shuning üchün hazirqi tarixi shara’itta wetenning namini sherqiy türkstan dep atash muwapiq emes!

Endi uyghurstan dégen nam üstide qisqiche totulup öteyli: biz tarixy matéryallargha murajet qilidighan bolsaq, ottura esirlerdin tartip, bizning millitimizning nami «uyghur» dep, wetinimizning nami «uyghurstan» yaki «mülkül uyghuriye» dep atilip kelgenligini köreleymiz. «oghuzname» de, oghuzxan özini «men uyghurning xaqanimen» deydu.

Pakistanliq ataqliq tarixchisi muhemmed bin welining «bexrar esirar muta qip el ehyar» dégen alte tomluq kitabining 6- tom, 227 - bétide: «uyghurlarning wetini - uyghurstan» dep tekitleydu. Bu pikir uyghurlar bilen qirghizlar otturisidiki jengu - jidellerni bayan qilghan bapta éytilghinini eske alsaq, « uyghurstan » dégen nam 1300 yilliq tarixqa ége ikenligini köreleymiz. Erep tarixchisi ibnel emir « jahrul» namliq kitabining «uyghur xanliri türkistanda » dégen babida : «qaraxanilar döliti - mülkol uyghuriyedur... 909 -yili samaniylar memlikitini weyran qilip, buxarani ishghal qilghan qaraxaniyla uyghur shahliridur!» -- dep tekitleydu.

Yawropaliq alim frank «türkstanda peqet uyghur xanliri bolghan» dése, awstraliyelik édu’ard zaxar: «qaraxaniylar - uyghurlarning döliti idi» deydu. Ros türkshunalighidin grgoripmu, akadémik radlr we millérlarmu: «qaraxanilar sulalisining wekilliri - sap uyghurlar» dep birdek qeyt qilishqan. Uyghurlar özliri döletlirini tarixta her xil namlar bilen atighan. Mesilen, miladining 745 - 840 - yilliri qarabalghasunni merkez qilghan uyghur xaqanlighi. 870 -yilidin 1225 -yiligha qeder höküm sürgen kengsu uyghur döliti, 850 - yilidin 1275 - yilighiche yashighan idiqut döliti, 870 - yilidin1213 - yilighiche höküm sürgen qaraxaniylar döliti, 1514 - yildin 1675 - yiligha qeder höküm sürgen. Yarkentni paytext qilghan se’idiye uyghur döliti, 1863 - yilidin 1877 - yilghiche höküm sürgen yaqupbeg bashchilighidiki qeshqeriye yette sheher döliti... Gerche bu isimlar tarixi shara’itqa qarap her xil namlar bilen atalghan bolsimu, mushularning hemmisi uyghur döletliri ikenligide shek yoq.

Mana mushu fakitlarning hemmisi - bizning ejdadlirimiz bolghan uyghurlarning tarixta musteqil döletliri bolghanlighini, belki bu döletlerning «uyghurstan» yaki «mülkül uyghuriye» dep atilip kelgenligini ispatlaydu. Endi hazirqi dewirdiki, bizning etrapimizdiki qérindash xelqler bilen xoshna döletlerge nezer sélip köreyli: wetinimiz uyghurstan bilen xoshna memliketlerdin qazaqstan, qirghizstan, özbekstan, afghanstan, pakstan, tibet, xitay we mongghulstanlarbar. Mushu döletlerning hemmisi shu dölet ziminining esli égisi bolghan xelqning nami bilen atilidu. Yeni shu xelqning ismining axirigha «stan» qoshumchisini ulash arqiliq yasilip éytilmaqta. Mundaq atilish nahayiti adeletlik bolup, wetenning esli égisi kim ikenligi shu isimdin ayan bolup turidu. Mundaq atash shu memlikette bille yashap kéliwatqan bashqa xelqlerning menpetige qarmu - qarshi kelmeydu. U xelqlerning milliy we insaniy hoquqliri toluq kapaletke ége bolalaydu. Buni biz özimiz yashawatqan qérindash jumhuryetlerning misalidin körüwalalaymiz.

Yuqurida éytilghan pikirlerdin xulase qilip, shuni éytmaqchimizki bizning millitimizning nami uyghur, wetinimizning nami uyghurstan! shuning üchün bizning kelgüsidiki dölitimizning namimu«uyghurstan döliti» dep atilishi kérek! bu nahayiti durus, hazirqi zaman’gha mas kélidighan muwapiq namdur. Shunglashqimu, biz edebiy tilimizda wetinimizning namini «uyghurstan» dep atilishini teklip qilimiz!

Mundaq dések - bezi kishiler étiraz bildüridu. Ular bizge: «uyghurstan - dégen namning menisi tar, u yalghuz uyghur xelqinila körsitidu. Bizning wetinimizde türki tilliq qérindash xelqlermu bar. Ular bu namning sirtida qalidu, biz wetinimizning azatliqi üchün shular bilen bille küresh qilishimiz kérek. Shuning üchün omumi itpaqliqqa paydiliq bolidighan keng menadiki «sherqi türkstan» dégen namni qollinishimiz kérek» deydu. Biz bu xil étirazgha jawap bérip, shuni éytimizki, birinchidin, «uyghurstan» digenlik - yalghuz uyghur xelqiningla wetini, bashqa qérindash xelqlerning heqqi yoq dégen menini bildürmeydu. Bu peqet shu ziminning esli égisi uyghurlar ikenligini tekitlesh arqiliq, uyghurlarning dölet tutush hoquqini eslige keltürüshke yardem qilidu. Ikkinchidin, «uyghurstan» dégen nam - qérindash xelqlerning milliy we insaniy hoquqlirigha qarshi kelmeydu, eksinche ashu hoquqlarni kapaletlendüridu. Qérindash xelqlerning dölet mesilisi bolsa, yéshilip bolghan, qazaqlarning qazaqstani bar. Özbeklerning özbekstani bar... Bu jumhuryetlerde istiqamet qiliwatqan uyghurlar ularning dölet musteqillighini élishigha xalisane yardemlerni qilghan. Endi ular uyghur qérindashlirining dölet musteqillighini élishigha yardem qilishi kérek! üchinchidin: bashqa xelqlerning hemmisi öz élini özining nami bilen atighinidek, bizmu öz élimizning namini, özimizning nami bilen «uyghurstan» dep atishimiz kérek. Bolupmu bügünki künde xitay basqunchiliri, uyghur xelqining weten’ge ége bolush hoquqini yoqqa chiqirish mexsitide «shinjang uyghur aptonom rayoni»dégen isimdin waz kéchip, «shi yüy» (yeni gherbi diyar) dep atashni terghip qiliwatqan peytte, biz wetinimizni uyghur xelqning nami bilen atashta ching turushimiz maqul emesmu? «uyghurstan» digen namni dunya ehli tonumaydu, digen mesilige kelsek, tonumisa - biz tonutishimiz kérek! biz özimizni özimiz tonutmisaq, bizni hichkim tonutmaydu. 60 yillning aldida qazaqstan, qirghizstan... dégen namlarnimu dunya tonumaytti. Mana endi tonuwatidu. Chünki dunyada bu jumhuryetler mewjut bolup turudu. Bizmu bir uyghurstan jumhuryitini mewjut qilalisaq, dunya uni tonuydu!

Endi, «sherqiy türkstan» atalghusini qollansaq, dégen teshebbusqa kelsek, biz bu teshebbusqa qoshulmaymiz. Buning sewebi: birinchidin, «sherqiy türkistan» dégen xelqning yaki döletning nami emes, jughrapiyelik nam. Ikkinchidin, bu nam uyghur diyarining hemmisini öz ichige almaydu. Tengri téghining shimali teripidiki uyghur yurtliri sirtta qalidu. Üchinchidin, u elning nami emes, belki jughrapiyelik nam bolghachqa chet ellerde uni öz tili boyiche her xil ataydu. Mesilen, biz «sherqiy türkstan» deymiz. Türkiyelikler «doghu türkstan» deydu. Erepler «shot türkstan elsherqiye» deydu. Gérmaniyede «térstarn türkstan» deydu. Én’giliz tilliq memliketler bolsa «éstérn türkistan» dep atashmaqta. Roslar «wostochiniy türkstan», xitaylar «dong turchistan» dep ataydu! tötinchidin, «sherqiy türkistan» ning mewjut bolup turishi üchün «gherbiy türkistan» mewjut bolishi shert. Chünki bu ikki nam bir - birini teqqezza qilidu.

Biz bilimizki, «gherbiy türkstan» alliqachan mewjut bolushtin qalghan. Uning xarabliri üstide hazir birqanche milli jumhuryetler qed kötürüp turuptu. Yene kélip, bu jumhuryetlerning hemmisi öz millitining nami bilen atalmaqta. Mundaq shara’itta bizmu öz wetinimizni öz millitimizning nami bilen atimay, gherbiy qismi yoq bolsimu, «sherqi türkistan» digen omumiy namgha ésiliwélishimiz - menisizlik bolidu. Bezi kishiler yene:
- «biz sherqiy türkstan» dep atap turayli, kelgüside türki tilliq xelqler birliship, bir omumiy «türkstan döliti» bolsa shu chaghda bizmu «türkstan döliti» ning terkiwige kirimiz, déyishidu.
Birinchidin, hazir undaq türkstan döliti mewjut emes. Ayrim - ayrim milliy jumhuryetler mewjut. Shuninggha layiqliship, mizmu milliy jumhuryet yeni «uyghurstan» bolimiz. Eger kélechekte rastinla shundaq «büyük türkstan döliti» wujutqa kélidighan bolsa, bashqa qérindash xelqler özlirining milliy jumhuryiti bilen qoshulghan’gha oxshash, bizmu özimizning milliy jumhuryitimiz - uyghurstanimiz bilen bérip qoshulimiz. Kélechektiki «türkstan’gha layiq bolimen dep, bügünla «yoghan qalpaq» ni kiyiwélishning hajiti néme? Biz ré’alstlar, aldimizdiki ré’al ehwalgha qarap ish qilishimiz kérek. Shu chaghdila siyasiy jehettin xatalashmay mangalaymiz! öz ichimizdiki «sherqiy türkstan» chilargha yuquridiki jawabimiz yéterlik bolsa kérek. biraq, chet’ellerde istiqamet qiliwatqan bezi wetendashlirimiz «sherqiy türkstan» dégen nam uzaqtin béri ishlitilip singip qalghan hem xelq arade ishlitiliwatqan nam - shuning üchün «sherqiy türkstan» atalghusini qollan’ghan yaxshi - dégen pikini éytiptu. Bu pikirge jawaben shuni eslitip ötüshimiz kérekki, uyghur xelqining meshhur milletperwer oghli eysa yüsüp aliptékin ependi özining kitawida: - men weten dawasini qilip yürgen 40 yil ichide nurghunlighan dölet erbablirini uchritip, söhbetleshtim. Epsuski, shu erbablarning hich qaysisi «sherqiy türkstan» dégen wetenning barlighini bilmeydiken! - dep yéziptu. Shuningdin melumki, «sherqiy türkstan» dégen nam wetendashlarning küchep teshwiq qilghinigha qarimay, xelq ara munberge yétip baralmidi. Xelq’ara uqum derijisige kötürülmidi. Toghra, uyghurstan dégen nammu xuddi shundaq, xelq’ara sehnige yétip baralighini yoq. Biraq, bu nam millitimiz bilen wetinimizning namini özide mujessemligen, eng toghra, eng paydiliq namdur. Eger biz özimizning awazimizni mushu nam bilen dunyagha yetküzelisi’ek, öz xelqmizning yürükige singip, pütkül dunya jama’etchiligining hésdashlighini qozghiyalaydighinimizgha shek yoq! barliq uyghur perzentliri, wetinimizning «uyghurstan » dégen qutluq namini qelbimizge singdüreyli. Uning nurini pütün dunyagha tarqitayli!

 

= ================================================= =

East Turkistan Or Uyghuristan?

Hashir Wahidi

Until now, our country has been called by various names such as "Uyghuristan", "Eastern Turkistan", "Xinjiang" or "Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region". Among these names "Xinjiang" or "XUAR" are Chinese names forcibly imposed by the Han Chinese. Therefore, we have considered these names illegal and have never admitted and will never admit to them.

As to "Eastern Turkistan" and "Uyghuristan", each of these names has an origin and a historical root. It is now necessary to conduct a scientific discussion about the origins of these two names: their meanings and the extent of their adoption, seeking to draw right conclusions and to answer these questions: Which of these names is right? Which of these names is appropriate for us under the present historical conditions? These are the topics that we want to discuss and the problems that we want to address in this article.

First of all, let us briefly discuss the name "Eastern Turkistan". It is known that in our history, i.e., in the 9th-12th century, several very strong Kharahan countries existed in Central Asia. Although these Kharahan countries were Uyghur countries, in fact, they were also the common lands of the Turkic peoples. The Uyghur Kharahan countries combined their territories with those of many other Turkic-speaking peoples living in Central Asia, and united all those people under one flag. Accordingly, the united country was given the name "Turkistan" in a geographical sense. However, this unified nation formed under a specific historical condition and the name of "Turkistan" did not exist for long.

In 1048, after the death of Nesir Ilik Han, the Ilik Han people living in the western region of the Kharahan Hakhan's domains (present day Uzbekizstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, etc.) declared their independence from the Kharahan nation. The Kharahan government, on the other hand, agreed to the request of the Ilik Han to split off as the Tavghac Kharahan and become an independent country. Thus, the territory of the great Kharahan nation split into two parts. In reference to the geographical locations of these territories, people began to call the western part as Western Turkistan and the eastern part as Eastern Turkistan. That is, the name "Eastern Turkistan" was brought to existence under these historical conditions. In addition, under the historical conditions of that period, the territory of "Eastern Turkistan" only included the southern side of the Tengri-tagh range, and did not include the Jungar Basin located in the northern side of the Tengri-tagh. At that time, the southern side of the Tengri-tagh was considered as belonging to the territory of the Kharahan nation, while the eastern and northern sides of the mountains as the territory of the Idikhut nation. That is, it is self-evident that Eastern Turkistan was a geographical name meaning "the eastern part of Turkistan" and that this name did not include the whole territory of the Uyghur nation.

It was revealed in the European and Russian scientists' work that the adoption of the name Eastern Turkistan started after 1869, that is, after the Russian Red Imperialists' (RRIs) occupation of Central Asia and Khazakstan. Hidden under this name is the RRI's invasion conspiracy. What the RRIs tried to do by using the name Eastern Turkistan was, first, to deny the proprietary claims of the eastern Han Chinese invaders on this territory, and, second, to pave the way for occupying Eastern Turkistan after their occupation of Western Turkistan. After the collapse of the RRIs, their successors, the Soviet Social Imperialists (SSIs), carried on their prior imperialistic system. The only difference between the two was that the SSIs found it advantageous to follow a policy of "divide and conquer". As a consequence of the policy, Western Turkistan was divided into 5 republics on the basis of different ethnic groups. Even though Western Turkistan belonged to the Soviet Union, Stalin and the people around him considered it potentially dangerous to keep it intact, and thus divided it into ethnic regions. This led to the loss of the basis for the name of Eastern Turkistan.

It is not surprising that Stalin violently hated the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Republic established on Nov. 12, 1933, in Kashgar under the leadership of Sabit Damolla, which he helped to abolish by using military force. This was in fact Stalin's consistent policy. The Eastern Turkistan Republic that was later established in Ili in 1944 also became a victim of that policy. The Soviets believed that if an independent country came to existence in the region of Uyghuristan, it would influence the people in Soviet Central Asia and Khazakistan and lead to the separation of these people as countries independent from the imperialism of the so-called Soviet Union . Indeed, the subsequent historic development of those people in Soviet Central Asia and Khazakistan resulted in their independence from the Soviet Union. The so-called "undetachable union of the unified republics" was destroyed. However, this became a reality not because of the influence of Uyghuristan, but due to an irreversible trend of social development.

In summary:

1. The name Eastern Turkistan was a geographic term created under certain historical conditions, and has never become a name of a country or a nationality.

2. Eastern Turkistan is a term used to refer to the south side of the Tengri-tagh mountain range, and does not refer to the whole territory of today's Uyghuristan.

3. There must be a Western Turkistan in order to have an Eastern Turkistan. But the current reality is that there is no Western Turkistan. It was divided in 1936, and based on those regional divisions the 5 post-Soviet republics were created. All of these republics used the names of their peoples for the countries' names, such as Khazakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. Therefore, it is not appropriate to name our country as Eastern Turkistan under the present historical conditions.

Now let us briefly discuss the name Uyghuristan. If we examine historical records, we find that since mid century the name of our nationality was called Uyghur and the name of our country was called either Uyghuristan or Mulkul Uyghuriye. In the book "Oghuzname" Oghuzhan wrote: "I am the Hakhan of Uyghur".

In volume 6, page 227 of the 6-volume book of "Behrar esrar muna qip Eleh'yar" written by Muhemmet bin Beli, it was emphasized that the "Uyghurs' country is Uyghuristan". If we recall that this sentence was 
given in the chapter that described the conflicts between Kirgiz and Uyghur, then we can see that the name "Uyghuristan" has a history of 1300 years.

Arab historian Ibnel Esir emphasizes, in the chapter "About Uyghur Khans" of his book titled "Jamrul", that "Kharahans' country is Mulkul Uyghuriye... The Kharahans who destroyed Samani's country and occupied Buhara in 909 are Uyghur Shahs."

European scientist Fran said: "Only Uyghur Khans lived in Turkistan", and Australian Eduar Zahar said: "Kharahans were the Uyghurs' rulers." Russian Turkish expert Grigoryev, academy members Radlov and Miller also stated that "All representatives of the Kharahan Dynasty were Uyghurs."

Throughout history, Uyghurs called the countries that they established by various names. For example, the Uyghur Hakhan centered in Kharabalghasun that existed from 745-840; the Kengsu Uyghur Nation that existed from 870 to 1225; the Idikhut Nation that continued from 850-1275; the Kharahan Nation in 870-1213; the Se'idiye Uyghur Nation that existed from 1514-1675 with its capital located in Yarkend; and the Kashgariye 6-City Nation existing from 1863-1877 under the leadership of Yakhupbeg.

Although these names changed according to the historical conditions, there is no doubt that these were Uyghur nations. These facts clearly prove that our ancestors -- Uyghurs -- had independent countries throughout history and that these countries were named Uyghuristan and Mulkul Uyghuriye.

Now let us look at our brother peoples in neighboring countries. Our neighboring countries are Khazakistan, Kyrgyzistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, China and Mongolia. Each of these countries is called by the name of the people who were/are the original owners of the country. That is, the name of each of those countries was formed by adding something at the end of the name of her people. It is very natural to form a country's name that way; such a country's name itself can explain who are the owners of the country. Naming a country this way is not against the interest of other peoples living in the same country. The national and human rights of those peoples can still be fully guaranteed. We can see this from the brother republics we are living in now.

Summarizing what was described above we can say that the name of our race (nationality?) is Uyghur and the name of our country is Uyghuristan. Therefore, our future country should be named "Uyghuristan". This is a very appropriate name that is very suitable to the present time. Therefore, we propose to name our country "Uyghuristan" in our language.

Some people may blame us for this proposal, by telling us: "The meaning of the name Uyghuristan is very narrow; it only refers to Uyghur people. There are other Turkish-speaking brother peoples in our country. (There are 84 nationalities in Kyrgyzistan-Rabiye Yakub) They will be left outside. We need to cooperate with them in our struggles for freedom. Therefore, we need to use the name "Eastern Turkistan" which is an inclusive name and is helpful for total unification." We can say in response to such accusations that, first, the name "Uyghuristan" does not mean that she is only the Uyghurs' country and other peoples do not have the right of ownership. It only emphasizes that the original owners of this territory are Uyghurs, thus helping to restore the Uyghurs' rights to have their own country. Second, the name "Uyghuristan" is not against the national and human rights of the brother peoples; on the contrary, it guarantees those rights. The independence problem of the brother peoples has already been solved. Khazaks have Khazakistan, and Uzbeks have Uzbekistan. The Uyghurs living in those republics have given voluntary aid to gain their national independence. Now they should help their Uyghur brothers in obtaining the Uyghurs' national independence. Third, just as other peoples called their countries with their own names, we should call our country with our own name as "Uyghuristan". Especially now, when the Chinese invaders are trying to change "XUAR" to "Western Region" with the purpose of denying Uyghurs from the rights of having their own country, why cannot we insist in calling our country with the name of the Uyghur people?

As to the problem that the world does not know the name Uyghuristan, then we should let it know! If we do not introduce ourselves to the world, nobody else will do it for us! Less than 60 years ago, the world did not know the names of Khazakistan, Kyrgyzistan, etc. But now the world knows them. This is because these republics now exist in the world. If we can create an Uyghuristan, then the world will know it.

Now as to the proposal of using Eastern Turkistan, we do not accept it. The reason is: 1) ET is not the name of a people or a nation, instead, it is a geographic term. 2) This name does not refer to the entire Uyghur territory; it leaves out the Uyghur territory on the northern side of the Tengri-tagh range. 3) Because it is not the name of a country but a geographic term, foreign countries call it with various names in their own languages. For example, we call it Sherkiy Turkistan; Turks call it Doghu Turkistan; Arabs call it Sut Turkistan Alshirqiya; English calls it Eastern Turkistan; and Russian calls it Vostocniy Turkistan. 4) In order for an ET to exist, there must exist a Western Turkistan, because these two names need each other. We know that Western Turkistan has already ceased to exist. Now there are several republics in its place.

Furthermore, all these republics are called by the names of their peoples. If, under such circumstances, we do not call our country by our own name and insist on using the inclusive name of ET even when it does not have a western part, then it becomes completely meaningless.

Some people also suggest that "Let us call our country ET for the moment. If the Turkish-speaking peoples unite and become a common Turkistan Nation in the future, then we become a part of this Turkistan Nation." First of all, now there exists no such Turkistan Nation; what exists are those separate national republics. Correspondingly, we too become a national republic, that is, Uyghuristan. If indeed a Great Turkistan Nation (GTN) is created in the future, just as the other brother peoples join the GTN with their national republics, we join the GTN with our own national republic -- our Uyghuristan. Is it necessary to put on a "big hat" today to qualify for a future Turkistan?

We are realists; we should do things according to the present real situations. Only by doing so can we avoid political mistakes. Some people think: "ET is a name that has been used for a long time and is used in the international world. Therefore, it is better to use ET."

About this, the Uyghur people's well-known nationalist son, Mr. Isa Yusuf Aliptekin, wrote in his book the following: "In the past 40 years in which I worked for the Uyghurs' causes, I have met and talked to many government officials of various countries. But I found that none of those government officials know the existence of an ET." This shows that, despite the hard work of our countrymen in letting the world know the existence of ET, the name ET could not get to the international stages; it was not raised to the level of an international concept.

Indeed, the name Uyghuristan suffered the same fate; it did not get to the international stages either. However, this is the most correct, most advantageous name that well represents our race (nationality?) and our country. If we can introduce ourselves to the world with this name, then there is no doubt that it will get a place in the heart of our own people and bring about the sympathy of the world communities. Dear Uyghur children, let us keep the great name of our country, Uyghuristan, in our hearts. Let us shine the whole world with its light.

(Translated from Uyghur by Erkin Sidick; Jan. 7, 1998)

© Copyright 2014 Uyghur Meripet  Torbéti