DUSHANBE, March 9, 2010, Asia-Plus — It is high time the Committee for Religious Affairs is established in the country since the religion-related problems facing Tajik society are very serious, Tajik political scientist Abdullo Rahnamo said in an interview with Asia-Plus, commenting on changes introduced to the government structure.
“In countries like Tajikistan, security and stability depends to a large extent on religion,” Rahnamo said.
According to him, it is necessary to establish even a separate ministry for religious affairs, “because religion today is one of key issues of domestic and foreign policies of Tajikistan.”
“Today, Tajikistan’s national policy regarding religion is entering a new stage. Over the past two years, Tajikistan has seen closer relations between authorities and religion,” noted Rahnamo, “The government has softened its policy toward Islam. We have already passed though the atheistic stage.”
He added that administration of the committee for religious affairs must be formed from among persons knowing religious matters and management issues well.
We will recall that by president’s decree signed today the Committee for Religious Affairs has been established under the Government of Tajikistan.
