Law on the Ban of Beards and Hijabs: Rumors or Reality?

The Committee for Religious Affairs, Regulation of National Traditions, Celebrations, and Rituals of Tajikistan has denied information about a legislative ban on wearing beards and hijabs. According to the committee, no such law has been adopted in Tajikistan.

A representative of the Committee for Religious Affairs told the publication “Asia-Plus” that rumors about the adoption of such a law are unfounded.

Recently, media in Central Asian countries and Russia have reported on a ban on wearing hijabs and beards in Tajikistan, citing an allegedly recently adopted new law. These reports have sparked heated discussions on social media and concern in society.

Some media outlets reported that heavy fines are imposed for wearing long beards and hijabs, and that some citizens were forced to shave their beards and send photographs to law enforcement agencies as proof. Some publications referred to “Asia-Plus,” but the publication itself states that it has not published such reports in recent months.

“The state of ensuring the religious rights and freedoms of citizens of Tajikistan is not as it is portrayed by certain media and various organizations. The country has created the necessary legislative and other conditions for the realization of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. Unfortunately, the assessment of religious freedoms in Tajikistan often does not reflect reality, as it is based on information from unreliable sources,” said the representative of the religious committee.

However, such rumors did not arise entirely without basis. Two years ago, amendments were made to the law “On the Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Rituals,” according to Article 18 of this law, the import, sale, and promotion of clothing “alien to national culture” were prohibited.

At the same time, the law does not clearly define what specific clothing is considered “alien.” The potential fines are also not specified. On one hand, this ambiguity has become one of the reasons for the spread of rumors; on the other hand, representatives of the relevant agencies and law enforcement authorities abuse this ambiguity in the law to line their own pockets.

However, it is important to note that regardless of the law itself and the spread of various rumors, in recent years, citizens in Tajikistan have faced relatively less persecution for wearing beards and hijabs. Experts believe that the main reason for this is that society, particularly women in hijabs, has not succumbed to the pressure from law enforcement agencies on believers.