DUSHANBE, January 4, 2016, Asia-Plus — Tajik grand mufti Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda has reportedly called Iran “accomplice to betrayer.”
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports that speaking during the khutbah (sermon) on Friday January 1, Chairman of the Shuro (Council) of Ulema at the Islamic Center of Tajikistan, Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda, criticized Iran for its decision to invite the leader of the banned Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) to attend an international conference in Tehran.
Abduqodirzoda reportedly stated that by inviting the banned IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri to the International Islamic Unity Conference the Iranian authorities had demonstrated support for the IRPT.
Speaking during the sermon, Tajik grand mufti called Muhiddin Kabiri “betrayer” and Iran “accomplice to betrayers,” according to Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service.
The banned IRPT leader Muhiddin Kabiri was reportedly been received by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran on the sidelines an international conference.
Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service
reports Muhiddin Kabiri met with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei on December 29 on the sidelines of the International Islamic Unity Conference that took place in Tehran on December 27-29.
Iranian news agency
IRNA
reports the 29th Islamic Unity Conference with the theme of “Present Crises of Muslim World and Ways to End Them” held on December 27-29 December, concurrent with the birthday anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), dubbed as Islamic Unity Week in Tehran.
There were 14 specialized sections discussing different themes including Muslim world’s conditions today, resistance movement scholars, women and family, youths, academics, sciences and technology, etc.
According to
IRNA
, the conference participants also met with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei and paid attention to his thoughtful remarks on the main theme of the conference.
Iran’s
Fars News Agency
(FNA) reports that Kabiri had previously participated freely in the Islamic Unity Conference, but since his party was banned in Tajikistan, this year he attended the conference as a special guest.
We will recall that Tajikistan has expressed concern about Iran’s decision to invite Muhiddin Kabiri, the leader of the banned Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), to attend the international conference in Tehran.
On Tuesday December 29, Tajikistan summoned Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Hojjatollah Faghani to express “regret” over Iran”s decision to invite the leader of the banned IRPT to attend the International Islamic Unity Conference that took place in Tehran on December 27-29.
Tajikistan”s MFA said in a statement on December 29 that it was “greatly concerned” that “the head of the extremist and terrorist former IRPT, Muhiddin Kabiri, who faces charges of attempting to overthrow the government … has been invited to the conference.”
“Tajikistan’s MFA considers such actions of organizers of this conference to be unacceptable and categorically states that such an attitude to enemies of the state and the people of Tajikistan can negatively affected good relations between Tajikistan and Iran,” the Tajik MFA statement said.
Tajikistan’s Supreme Court banned the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) as terrorist group on September 29 on the basis of a suit filed by the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
The Supreme Court ruled that the IRP should be included on a blacklist of extremist and terrorist organizations.
The verdict forces the closure of the IRPT”s official newspaper
Najot
(Salvation) and bans the distribution of any video, audio, or printed materials related to the party”s activities.
Muhiddin Kabiri remains in a self-imposed exile outside Tajikistan.
