Uighurs, (also written as Uyghurs) are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia.

The Uyghurs have been recognized as native to only one region, the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Uighur call it East Turkestan. They are considered to be one of China's 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities. The Uighur are recognized only as a regional minority within a multicultural nation, rather than as an indigenous group.

The Uighur have traditionally inhabited a series of oases scattered across the Taklamakan Desert comprising the Tarim Basin, a territory which has historically been controlled by many civilizations including China, the Mongols, the Tibetans and the Turkic world. They played an important role in the trade on the Silk roads. Some Uighur organizations claim that the Uighur have been living here for over 4000 years.

Since the 9th–10th century AD, Uighur have embraced Islam as their predominant religion. Islam has since played an important role in Uighur culture and identity. The culture and identity of modern Uighur is controversial due to its association with the East Turkestan independence movement and terrorism. Currently, China is taking extreme measures to control the Uighur population and has been accused of human rights abuses.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uyghurs