This year, Tajikistan celebrates Eid ul-Fitr (religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting – Asia-Plus) on June 5 and employees of the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) under the Government of Tajikistan are expected to make raids to inspect compliance of the festive dastarkhan amount with requirements of the country’s law regulating expenses for celebrations by people, an official source at CRA told Asia-Plus in an interview.
A dastarkhan is the name used across Central Asia to the traditional space where food is eaten. The term may refer to the tablecloth which is spread on the ground, floor, or table and is used as a sanitary surface for food, but it is also used more broadly to refer to the entire meal setting.
Article 7(4) of the law regulating expenses for celebrations by people says that “on the Ramazon (Eid ul-Fitr) and Qurbon (Eid al-Adha) holidays, the festive dastarkhans should be frugal and waste and luxuries are prohibited.”
Citizens who will spend lavish holidays will be fined 5,000 somoni.
Meanwhile, lawyers say CRA employees can enter houses only with permission of householders.
The law regulating expenses for celebrations by people initially drafted by President Emomali Rahmon is actual since 2007. According to the document, citizens who spend lavish weddings and funerals, thereby damaging their family budget, are subject to fine.
