A court in Bobojon-Ghafourov district of Sughd province has fined a local entrepreneur for violating laws regulating traditions, celebrations, and ceremonies.
According to TV program “Militsiya Khabar Medihad” (Police Reports) of the Sughd Police Department, a 29-year-old Amirjon Kholmatov, a resident of the Haydar-Usmon jamoat and head of the company Sikhkabobi Amiri, celebrated his birthday on February 1 at his café. The event was streamed live on social media.
Law enforcement officials stated that such public displays may encourage others to imitate similar violations.
The court reportedly found Kholmatov guilty under Article 481 (8) of Tajikistan’s Code of Administrative Offenses and imposed a fine of 1,500 calculation units. With one unit set at 78 somoni, the total fine amounts to 117,000 somoni.
Kholmatov’s position on the case has not been disclosed.
Tajikistan has had the Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals in place since June 2007. The law governs the organization of historical, cultural, public, and family events.
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon signed the law on streamlining the traditions, celebrations and ceremonies in Tajikistan on June 8, 2007, justifying it “by protecting the true values of national culture, respect for folk customs and improving the social and economic standard of living of citizens.”
The Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals has regulated private celebrations and funeral services, including weddings, funerals, and Mavludi Payghambar (the birthday of the Prophet).
The stated intent of the law was to protect the public from spending excessive amounts of money on celebrations. The law limited number of guests, eliminated engagement parties, and controlled ceremonial gift presentations and other rituals.
