DUSHANBE, October 16, 2013, Asia-Plus — The Islamic Revival Party (IRP) activist Vohidkhon Qosiddinov has been detained in the Chorkhuh jamoat, the northern city of Isfara after the festive prayer on the occasion of the Idi Qurbon or Eid al-Adha in Arabic (Festival of Sacrifice).
The IRP deputy leader, Mahmadali Hayit, says Qosiddinov was detained on October 15 after he interrupted the mosque imam’s speech of praise for president, the government and the independence of the country.
“Our activist along with several other parishioners asked imam (a worship leader of a mosque) to start the festive prayer and continue his sermon after the prayer because it was cold in the mosque,” Hayit told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, Vohidkhon Qosiddinov could face 15 days in prison.
IRP leadership says the increased pressure by the authorities on the party and its supporters complies with the spirit of Minute 32-20 (transcript of a secret session of the government; this minute was posted on a number of websites in March 2012).
We will recall that Polyarnaya Zvezda published a political commentary, headlined “Tajikistan on the Eve of Revolution” in March 2012. The article covered a meeting in which Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon allegedly ordered security services to increase surveillance of local religious groups and members of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan. The article also criticized Rahmon for growing authoritarianism, inattention to government corruption, and increasing poverty. Several other websites republished the article shortly after. Minutes of Rahmon’s meeting were also posted on Facebook.
Founded in October 1990, the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan was registered on December 4, 1991. It was banned by the Supreme Court in June 1993 and legalized in August 1999. Its official newspaper is Najot (Salvation). According to some sources, IRP now has more than 40,000 members. Since 2000, it has had two seats in the country’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament. The Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan is the only Islamic party registered in CIS Central Asia.
