In Tajikistan, penalties for conducting religious education are being tightened

In Tajikistan, authorities plan to tighten penalties for illegal religious education. Previously, this was subject to an administrative penalty in the form of a fine, but now if a citizen repeats this activity, they may face imprisonment for up to three years.

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The government has submitted amendments to the Criminal Code to the lower house of the parliament of the republic, which provide for harsher penalties for illegal religious education, particularly if it is conducted online.

According to a source from the Asia-Plus agency in the Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower house of parliament), “previously, such offenses were only subject to an administrative penalty in the form of a fine ranging from 800 to 1200 reporting indicators. Today, this amounts to 48,000 to 72,000 somoni.”

“According to him, the proposed amendments stipulate that if a citizen who has been subjected to such administrative penalties repeats such actions within one year, they may face imprisonment for up to three years,” the statement said.

In Tajikistan, according to widespread custom, most children received basic religious education at the local mosque or at home from a mullah, a religious figure. In 2008, parliament passed a law that severely restricted this activity, deeming it illegal. Most religious figures were detained, fined, and even imprisoned for “illegal religious education.”

In 2018, the parliament of Tajikistan amended the law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations of the RT.” According to this law, religious education was prohibited in mosques and at the homes of religious figures. Religious education was only allowed in state religious institutions. At that time, it was reported that state religious institutions – madrasahs – were operating in the country; however, after the law was passed, more than 20 madrasahs at mosques across the country were closed. Currently, there is only one Islamic institute in the country where religious education is provided.

It is worth noting that Article 8 of the Constitution of Tajikistan states that “Religious organizations are separated from the state and cannot interfere in state affairs.” However, the state constantly interferes in the activities of religious organizations, including educational ones.