A resident of the northern city of Khujand has been fined 5,000 somoni (equivalent to some 530 U.S. dollars) for celebrating her birthday at a restaurant
On September 17, resident of Khujand, Ms. Aziza Bobojonova, invited her six girlfriends to celebrate her 25th birthday at the local Istiqlol Restaurant.
According to the press center of the Prosecutor-General’s Office, the Khujanf city court has ruled that she should pay a 5,000 somoni fine for violating the Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals of 5,000.
Article 8 of the mentioned law states that birthday should be celebrated only within the family circle.
Adopted in June 2007, the Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals regulates private celebrations and funeral services, including weddings, funerals, and Mavludi Payghambar (the Prophet's birthday).
The stated intent of the law is to protect the public from spending excessive amounts of money on these celebrations, which often included several hundred guests. The law limits the number of guests, eliminates engagement parties, and controls ceremonial gift presentations and other rituals.
In August last year, Tajikistan amended the law. In order to prevent excessive spending on family celebrations and festivities, the revised Law established new rules for conducting weddings, funerals, and celebrations of child births, specifically the circumcision procedure. Concerning conduct at weddings, the Law limits the number of guests to 200 people and states that the wedding celebration cannot be longer than three hours. Weddings must be held between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. during working days and from 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. on weekends. Responsibility for following the rules was extended to include the owners and administrators of the places where celebrations are conducted (e.g., restaurants, club houses) in addition to the organizers of the wedding.
On March 12, 2018, Tajik lawmakers approved new amendments to the law, which allow government, military, and law-enforcement employees to be dismissed from service if they or their family members violate this law, were extended to include those who serve in the Tajik Internal Troops.
