Who is Gheyretjan Osman

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Gheyretjan Osman (海热提江·乌斯曼) was a professor and researcher of Uyghur classic literature at Xinjiang University’s School of Philology, specializing in Uyghur literature, history, and ethnography.

Originally from Kashgar, he was admitted to the Department of Uyghur Language and Literature at Xinjiang University in 1978, spending the next 40 years researching and teaching at the school. He has authored over thirty books and one hundred scholarly papers, contributing to the development of the literature curriculum and textbooks for Uyghur-language students at Xinjiang University.

Detained around January 2018. He was later sentenced to 10 years, with his family being notified in mid 2021.

He was born on June 25, 1958, in Kashgar city, which is located in the upper region of the Kashgar Prefecture (formerly known as the city of KonaSheher county Beshkerem village). He started his primary education in the local elementary school and completed his secondary and high school education in Kashgar. From August 1975 to September 1977, he pursued further education and received professional training. In September and October 1977, he worked as a mathematics teacher in a secondary school. From February 1978 to February 1983, he studied at the Faculty of Language and Literature at Xinjiang University and obtained his teaching qualification. After serving in various positions, he completed his graduate studies and obtained a teaching qualification in 1994. In 2000, he became a graduate student supervisor, and in 2004, he was awarded the title of professor. He has taught courses such as ‘Uyghur Classical Literary History‘, ‘Xinjiang Cultural History’, ‘History of Xinjiang’, and ‘Uyghur Folklore and Oral History’ to graduate students. His published books, including ‘Monuments of Ethnic Cultures in China‘, ‘Central Asia’s Cultural History‘, and ‘Uyghur Identity.’

Gheyretjan Osman has authored books such as ‘The Literary Research of Uyghur Ancient Literature’ (1999, in Uyghur), ‘Uyghurs in the East and West’ (2002), ‘Exploration of Uyghur Historical Culture‘ (2003), ‘Ancient Historical Culture’ (2007), ‘Classic Literature of Kashgar‘ (2012), as well as compiled works like ‘Uyghur Folk Traditions‘ (1998), ‘Great Poet Nawai’ (2001, in Uyghur). He has also contributed to books such as ‘Dictionary of Ethnic Religions and Epics of the Chinese Nationalities’ (1990), ‘Cultural Dictionary of Ethnic Minorities in Xinjiang‘ (2000), ‘Ethnic Celebrations of Xinjiang’s Ancient Nationalities’ (2000), ‘History of Uyghur Literature‘ (1998, complete edition, in Uyghur), ‘History of Uyghur Literature‘ (2006, three volumes), ‘Brief History of Uyghur Culture’ (2011, in Uyghur). Gheyretjan Osman has also completed academic theses like ‘Beliefs of Uyghurs in the Intellectual World’ (1993) for his degree, ‘Cultural Research of Western Regions‘ (1993-1995) as a research scholar, ‘Research on Uyghur Literary Works in the Qing Dynasty’ (1997-1999) as an autonomous region researcher, ‘Uyghur Folk Cultural Beliefs’ (2004-2006) as a state social sciences research project, ‘Anthropological Study of the Uyghur Community in the Upper Region’ (2009-2011), and more. He has engaged in research projects such as ‘Cultural Research of Western Regions‘ (1993-1995), ‘Research on Uyghur Literary History’ (1995-1997), ‘Comparative Study of Uyghur and Japanese Idioms’ (1996-1998), ‘Uyghur Ethnography’ (1995-1997), ‘Research on Uyghur Cultural History’ (1999-2002), and others. He has published over two hundred scholarly articles in Uyghur, Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish languages.