Tajik lawmakers have proposed amendments to the country’s Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals that regulates private celebrations. The proposed amendments are reportedly aimed at partially easing the law.
The amendments to the law on traditions and rituals have been authored by members of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament Mirali Dostiyev and Abduhalim Ghafforov.
They, in particular, propose to hold private celebrations from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm at the weekends during the summer period.
Under the current law on traditions and rituals, private events can be held during the summer period from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm at the weekends and from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekdays. The private events are limited to no more than three hours.
The amendments also provide for increasing the number of participants of rituals such as ‘domodtalbon’ (first visit of son-in-law to the house of wife’s parents) and ‘arousbinon’ (acquaintance of newly-wed with husband’s relatives) from 15 to 20.
Tajikistan’s 2007 Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals regulates private celebrations, allegedly to protect the public from spending excessive amounts of money. This law restricts the manner in which individuals can conduct private celebrations, including those with religious significance, such as weddings, funerals, gatherings after the return of a pilgrim from the hajj, and the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. National minorities specifically are exempted from restrictions in celebrating their national events.
Officials monitor weddings and funerals for compliance with the law on traditions and rituals and violation of the law is liable to fine.
