Re-registration Threatens Legality of Faith Groups in Tajikistan

18 December 2009

By 1 January 2010 Tajikistan will fulfill its new Religion Law by re-registering its religious communities. According to state officials, more the half of Tajikistan's religious communities have not yet re-registered. Those who do not re-register (or whose applications are denied) will be considered illegal.

This re-registration process has had a particular effect on mosques, which previously only had to register with local authorities but now must register at the national level, with Tajikistan's Head Department for Religious Affairs (HDRA). Several mosques have been refused re-registration; the government cites mosque quotas as the reason for the refusal. The Deputy Culture Minister Mukhtaarov stated, "We will close down mosques which exceed the quotas." In addition, the country's Baptist Union and Tajikistan's only synagogue have not been confirmed as legal institutions of worship.

Pray for Tajikistan's government, that it will seek fair laws and consistent enforcement. Pray for faith communities in Tajikistan who face great difficulties as they seek to register and re-register under the new restrictive Religion Law. Pray that they will be able to gather and worship freely.

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Last updated 18 December 2009