DUSHANBE, August 13, Asia-Plus — On Saturday August 11, the commission comprising representatives from the Council of Clerics (Shuroi Ulamo) started on official process of examining religious knowledge of imam-khatibs (mosque leaders) in Dushanbe, Asia-Plus has learned from Saymuddin Homidzoda, the Executive Secretary of the Council of Clerics at Tajikistan’s Islamic Center.
According to him, a decision on this subject was made by the Council of Clerics on July 27. The first exam will take place today and the test will last till August 25.
The executive secretary said that the main objective of the attestation to vet imam-khatibs for professionalism and examine their religious knowledge to prove their fitness for the job.
Homidzoda noted that any imam who would fail the exam could lose his post. He added that such attestations would be held in other cities and regions of the country as well.
The August 8 “RFE/RL News and Analysis» article titled “Tajikistan: Authorities Impose Religious Tests On Imams” said that Dushanbe authorities had cited complaints from city residents about their local imams” lack of religious knowledge and competence. But some imams say the test is yet another way for the government of a staunchly traditional, and predominantly Muslim, society to pressure religious institutions.
According to RFE/RL, Habibkhon Azamkhonov imam of Dushanbe”s Sari Osiyo mosque, called the whole idea of forcing imams to pass a test an insult to him and his fellow clerics. “I can”t accept it. I”ve been working as an imam for 30 years,” Azamkhonov says. “People felt very uncomfortable about this decision. This was supposed to be a democratic [society], but pressures are increasing.”
