Law to "Insulate" Tajiks From Foreign Islamic Influence

Critics say amendments to Tajikistan’s civil code passed by parliament on June 6 will restrict freedom of confession. Much of the criticism has come from Muslims.

The new rules bar religious organisations from establishing contact with foreign faith groups and also make it illegal to go and study in Islamic centres abroad unless the authorities are notified in advance.

Muslim groups believe the restrictions are unreasonable, and may be a measure to dampen any form of opposition ahead of a presidential election next year.

Officials counter that there have to be rules to stop people getting involved in radical Islamic groups.

The audio programme, in Tajik and Russian, went out on national radio stations in Tajikistan, as part of IWPR project work funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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