Tajik say traditional Muslims not being excluded
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 June 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Tajik say traditional Muslims not being excluded, 2 June 2009, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4a293d8317.html [accessed 26 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 02, 2009
GHARM, Tajikistan – Officials in Tajikistan's eastern Rasht district have rejected suggestions that people who wear traditional Islamic clothing or beards are being discriminated against for public functions, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
Rahmonali Saburov, a leading member of the Islamic Renaissance Party in Gharm, the district capital, claimed to RFE/RL that participants at the latest meeting of the district council were instructed by government officials to exclude bearded individuals and those wearing skullcaps and white shirts from official posts.
Saburov said that information came from eyewitnesses who were present at the session.
Kamol Bekzod, a local government spokesman, said the local governor and other officials are available two days each week for local residents to meet to discuss personal issues and that if such pressure were being directed against specific groups, then a huge majority of the public would have to be excluded from such meetings.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
