Customers enjoy the meal in Abdurehim's restaurant.[Photo by Yan Yiqi / China Daily]

Zhang Jianping is one such customer and visits Abdurehim's restaurant at least once a month to enjoy its lamb dishes.

"I like to talk to him. After getting to know Ah Bu (short for Abdurehim in Chinese), all my former stereotypes toward Uygur people disappeared," Zhang said. "He is diligent and kind. We should never relate extremists to ordinary Uygur people like him."

Abdurehim said he is grateful that friends like Zhang are supportive of his restaurant and that most Hangzhou people show no prejudice toward Uygur people.

"The number of customers never declined because of terrorism attacks by extremists that took place in China," he said.

Abdurehim said that when such attacks happened and filled the news, many Uygurs would gather in his restaurant and discuss the issues seriously.

"On one hand, we were outraged that there were such inhumane people. On the other hand, many of us were afraid that people would discriminate against us," he said. "We are lucky that such things did not happen in Hangzhou."

Abdurehim said few people show curiosity or resentment when he and his fellow Muslims perform their daily prayers outside the restaurant.

"It helps us to feel comfortable living in cities outside our hometown," he said.

However, although Abdurehim consistently expressed how much he appreciates the warmth that Hangzhou shows to Uygurs, his sent his sons, 8 and 10, to study in his hometown.

"They spent their childhood here in Hangzhou, and when it was time for them to enter primary school, I sent them back," he said.

Abdurehim admits he was concerned his children might feel they did not belong in the study environment in Hangzhou.

"They grew up speaking our language, and their appearance is different from other kids. What if the other kids don't accept them as part of the group? Also, Hangzhou does not have a school for Uygur students only," he said.

Abdurehim said he is not trying to isolate his sons from children of other ethnicities.

"Maybe I am just afraid that they will be hurt by the words or actions of other kids, intentionally or not," he said.

He believes the environment back in Awati is purer and more suitable for his sons' growth.

"Although I miss them every day, I thought this is the best for them," he said. "Of course, I will encourage them to enter universities outside Xinjiang because, by then, they will be mature enough to deal with others."

Abdurehim also insists his sons become proficient in both speaking and writing their own language.

"I am always proud of the culture I come from and I want my children to feel the same way," he said.