Religion - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 55

Diplomacy Religion Vatican International Relations internal affairs Pope

Pope Francis Receives Kyrgyzstan President Japarov

On October 4, during his official visit to Italy, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov was received by Pope Francis at the Vatican. As reported by the president's press office, Japarov emphasized Kyrgyzstan's status as a secular, multi-ethnic country which guarantees freedom of religion to the numerous communities which integral to Kyrgyz society, play an essential role in its development. The Kyrgyz leader also noted that one of the country's key traditional values has always been tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, and extended an open invitation to the Pope to visit. According to the Holy See’s press office, the discussions focused on the cordial relations between the Holy See and Kyrgyzstan and the two states’ "mutual collaboration in the fields of healthcare, education, and culture, and aspects of the life of the local Church." The two leaders also exchanged opinions on current international affairs “with special attention to the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian issues, revealing the importance of urgent commitment to promoting peace." During the audience, Pope Francis presented President Japarov with a terracotta sculpture entitled "Love and Tenderness," a photo book on the Apostolic Palace, and a copy of this year's Message for Peace. In return, President Japarov gifted Pope Francis decorated jars filled with honey ecologically produced in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, an image of St Peter's Basilica made from colorful wool, and a handcrafted Kyrgyz silver tea set. Japarov is the third leader of a Central Asian country to meet Pope Francis. In January 2024, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made his first official visit to the Holy See at Pope Francis's invitation, at which appreciation was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and Kazakhstan, particularly regarding mutual collaboration in interreligious dialogue. The meeting followed in the wake of Pope Francis' visit to Kazakhstan in September 2022, to attend the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. Held in the Kazakh capital every three years, the Congress functions as a permanent international interfaith platform for dialogue between religions. In April 2024, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon visited the Vatican and during his meeting with Pope Francis, stressed his country's tolerance and coexistence of representatives of all religions.

State Clothes law Cultural Heritage Traditions Religion Legislation

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Ban on Face Coverings

The State Commission on Religious Affairs of Kyrgyzstan has proposed several important initiatives to regulate religious activity in the country and in particular, a ban on face coverings that hinder citizen identification in state institutions and public places. The ban will not apply to protective masks, and a draft decree, carrying a proposed fine equivalent to 235 USD for violation of the law, has now been submitted for public discussion. In addition, the State Committee of Religion also proposes banning the distribution of religious literature and other materials in public places, residential premises, state and municipal institutions, and educational organizations. Recommendations have also been mooted to prohibit religious figures from foreign organizations from conducting ceremonies and events in nursing homes, correctional institutions, and military units without prior approval of the authorized body. A further proposal is the implementation of a ban on religious organizations' interference in the activities of public authorities and local self-government bodies, and on financing political parties by subjects of spiritual activity. Administrative liability is envisaged for violation of these prohibitions, the aim of which is to strengthen state control, and prevent abuse, of religious activity. Laws prohibiting face coverings are already in place in several countries. France and Belgium for example, have strict bans on burkas and niqabs in public places, and in Sri Lanka, similar measures have been introduced to combat religious extremism. In the Republic of Congo and Chad, such laws were imposed to improve security despite the low Muslim population. Post-Soviet countries have adopted similar laws but on a limited scale. Azerbaijan restricts religious dress in public institutions, whilst motivated by concern for national identity and the secular nature of the state, Tajikistan has imposed a law banning the hijab in public institutions and schools since 2017.

Legislation Clothes Religion Islam

Kyrgyzstan Proposes Amendment to Laws Regulating Religious Sphere

The authorities in Kyrgyzstan have moved to introduce stricter control of the religious sphere in the predominantly Muslim nation. The State Commission on Religious Affairs has submitted draft amendments to the laws regulating religion for public discussion. The Commission proposes banning the creation of political parties on a religious basis, and the participation of political organizations in spiritual activities. It also proposes banning the financing of political parties by religious activity and organizations. The proposed amendments prohibit deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh (national parliament) and local Keneshes (councils) from combining their parliamentary work with religious activities. They also ban religious figures from being elected as deputies of local Keneshes, and propose that the dissemination of religious information be prohibited in electoral campaigning. The amendments broach introducing a fine for wearing clothing that does not allow a person’s identification in government offices and public places, such as a niqab. The exceptions are clothing required for work, and clothing that covers the face for medical reasons. Authorities in neighboring Kazakhstan are also trying to restrict the wearing of religious clothing - hijabs (headscarves) and niqabs - in public places. Kazakhstan's parliament will consider a bill on the issue during the fall session. In the fall of 2023, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed a law prohibiting the wearing of the niqab in public places. In Tajikistan, authorities have encouraged wearing national dress and prohibited women from wearing black clothing and hijabs, considering them "alien" to Tajik culture and traditions. Earlier this year, the Tajik parliament passed a law regulating traditions and rites, banning the wearing of clothing considered to be "foreign to Tajik culture."

Religion Social Security

U.S. State Department Criticizes Tajikistan for Religious Restrictions

The U.S. State Department's 2023 World Religious Freedom Report lists Tajikistan as a country of "particular concern" due to "gross violations of religious freedoms." The report cited evidence of religious restrictions by the state, including a ban on the hijab, restrictions on minors and women performing namaz in mosques, and the harassment of Jehovah's Witnesses. The authors of the report also noted that residents of Tajikistan refrain from freely discussing religion for fear of persecution by the authorities. This is not the first time the Tajik government has been criticized for restricting religious freedoms, including religious observance, but President Emomali Rahmon continues to support his government's policy on these issues. In Tajikistan, 90% of the population is Muslim, predominantly followers of the Hanafi madhhab, whilst 4% are Ismailis. The central part of the Christian community are followers of the Orthodox Church. There are 4,058 religious organizations and associations officially registered in the country, including 66 which are non-Muslim. The authors of the report noted that the activities of these organizations were under strict control. According to the Tajik Interior Minister, Ramazon Rakhimzoda, 195 alleged members of "extremist" and "terrorist" organizations were detained in Tajikistan in the first half of 2023. The Norwegian human rights NGO for religious freedom, Forum-18, reported that at least 19 people were convicted last year for exercising the right to freedom of worship.

Strategy Security Legislation Social Religion

Uzbekistan to Protect Children from Religious Extremism

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Supreme Assembly of Uzbekistan) has adopted a draft law to further strengthen children's rights and prevent their becoming "victims of ideas of religious extremism, separatism and fanaticism." The bill states that "the transfer of a child for religious education to unregistered or unlicensed organizations or persons who have no special religious education and who provide religious education without permission from the central governing body of religious organizations in Uzbekistan is prohibited." Parents or guardians registering children in illegal religious education will be fined the equivalent of up to $270 and repeated offenses could result in administrative arrest for up to 15 days.

Religion Society

Is Kazakhstan’s Parliament About to Ban Religious Clothing?

The Kazakh authorities are once again trying to restrict the wearing of religious clothing -- hijabs and niqabs -- in public places. There have been heated discussions on social media, and Muslim women have appealed to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev himself. The hijab (headscarf) has long become an everyday accessory, and today, the secular part of society is trying to prevent its wearing in schools. However, women wearing niqabs -- a long, usually black cape that covers the face -- are increasingly common on the streets. Many Kazakhs consider the niqab categorically unacceptable. The issue of wearing religious clothing in public places may be considered in Kazakhstan's parliament, said Yermurat Bapi, a member of the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament). "Now, the most important issue for us is to preserve our country's national interests, traditions, and culture. And if we look at the current situation, more Kazakhs are dressed in black in society. This situation seriously harms our future national interests," Bapi said. "That is why we, a group of deputies, have prepared such a bill. It will be submitted to the Parliament at the fall session. I think that the issue of hijab, niqab, and other religious clothing in society will be solved after its adoption. Then we will be able to regulate the issues of religious dress in some way," he added. In May this year, President Tokayev spoke sharply about covered faces. "Dressing in all black contradicts the worldview of our people, is thoughtless copying of foreign norms, conditioned by religious fanaticism. We must not break away from our spiritual roots and erode our national identity," he said. Also, in October 2023, Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva said that the new law on religion will prohibit wearing religious clothing in public places. Kazakhstan has been trying to solve the problem of wearing religious clothing in schools, universities, courts, and other organizations for years. In the past, the ban on wearing hijabs to school repeatedly caused clashes between school administrations, akimats (mayor's offices), and parents of female students. For example, in Atyrau region in 2023, more than 150 girls refused to attend classes without a hijab. As the Ministry of Education explained, the parents were spoken with, after which the children returned to classes. Experts believe the hijab and niqab have become fashion elements imposed by foreign influences alien to Kazakhstanis. However, local theologians are virtually unanimous: Kazakh women have never covered their faces. "After gaining independence, our youth began to study in foreign educational institutions and began to instill in our people certain clothes and dress codes, which were abroad: in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other Muslim countries. These are their customs, especially about covering the face. Popularly it is called a burqa -- a headscarf with slits for the eyes -- but in Arabic it is called a niqab. The niqab, which completely covers the face, is generally unacceptable for our people, and our people do not use it. Today, in some regions of our...