DUSHANBE, April 17, 2009, Asia-Plus — On April 15, Muhiddin Kabiri, the leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT), met with French Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Henry Zipper de Fabiani.
According to Hikamtullo Sayfullozoda, a spokesman for the IRPT, French diplomat was interested in the present state of the IRPT, which is the only Islamic party registered in the Central Asian region, and relations between the Tajik authorities and the party.
Muhiddin Kabiri noted that the main problems was that the Islamic Revival Party was the only Islamic party officially registered in the region.
“Authorities are criticizing us that we are allegedly imposing Islam on society, while on the other part, some circles name us non-Islamic party,” the IRPT leader said. “Practice shows that all moderate Islamic parties face with such problems. The Islamic Revival Party is acting mainly in accordance with democratic principles.”
The IRPT leader and French diplomat also discussed issues related to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, impact of the global financial crisis on Tajikistan’s economy and so on, the spokesman said.
