DUSHANBE, June 13, 2011, Asia-Plus – Imam Hatip (the worship leader of a mosque) of one of Tajikistan’s mosques was arrested on suspicion of illegal religious propaganda, the police told the AP.
“Imam Hatip of a local mosque of Chimteppa Jamoat of Rudaki region was arrested last weekend for illegal religious teaching of a group of people, including five teens from 9 to 17 years of age,” the source reported.
The arrested preacher will have to pay a fine. An administrative case has been launched.
“According to Tajikistan’s law, all persons who wish to teach the foundations of Islam must have a license which is issued by the Tajik Education Ministry’s Committee for Religion. Most likely the arrested imam hatip was doing that without any official permission. Such kind of activity is considered to be an illegal teaching,” the source has said.
According to the police, tens of theological schools have been closed in Tajikistan this year. The schools were operating under mosques or as home schools where children were illegally taught to the ABCs of Islam.
Meanwhile, another imam hatip of the Isfara regional mosque was arrested last weekend. He is suspected of being a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (Turkestan). According to the Sughd Police Dept., the arrested imam hatip of a local mosque of Mulloyen Mahalla of Isfara city, 57-year-old A.A. used to promote the ideas of the IMU since 2007.
A criminal case has been launched under article 187 part 2 (Organization of a criminal community or criminal organization, participation in illegal organization, organization of leaders or members of armed groups) of the Criminal Code of Tajikistan. The investigation is under way.
