A shipment of humanitarian aid from the government and people of Tajikistan reached the needy residents of Gaza on February 8.

"On the evening of February 8, a convoy of six trucks carrying Tajik humanitarian aid, including food, warm clothing, tents, and waterproof film, was delivered to Gaza," reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan.

According to the Ministry, the trucks passed through the Rafah checkpoint at the Egypt-Palestine border, in the presence of the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Egypt and representatives of Tajik charitable organizations.

It should be noted that the Republic of Tajikistan has consistently provided humanitarian and financial aid to the population of Gaza since the beginning of the conflict in the region, the Ministry’s statement added.

On February 6, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirodjidin Mukhriddin, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe that humanitarian aid had been sent to Gaza. He reminded the public that in January 2025, Tajikistan, along with several other countries, had already delivered humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including 200 tons of wheat flour.

The Minister also emphasized that Tajikistan's position on the Gaza situation remains unchanged. According to him, the country consistently supports a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Access to centralized sewage systems remains a privilege for few in Tajikistan. According to government plans, by 2029, 30% of the population will have access to sewage, but currently, only about 15% of the population has access to sewage systems.

Jamshed Tabarzoda, Chairman of the Committee for Public Utilities (Kumitai Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali), told reporters on February 2 that 67% of the population currently has access to clean drinking water, but only 15% have access to sewage. The issue is particularly severe in rural areas.

Underdeveloped infrastructure and sewage issues

According to the National Water Strategy, approximately 41% of the population is covered by drinking water systems. In large cities, the coverage for water supply reaches 95%, in urban-type settlements it’s 48%, and in rural areas, it’s only 22%.

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The situation with sewage is even more dramatic: in large cities, 64% of the population is connected to centralized sewage systems, in villages it’s 10%, and in rural areas, it’s only 0.1%. This means that for the majority of rural residents, sewage remains inaccessible, and sanitary infrastructure often consists of latrines and other inadequate solutions.

Water losses and poor accounting

Even in areas with running water, the quality of services remains a problem. Water losses in drinking water systems can reach 60%. The average water intake per person is about 250 liters per day, but consumers receive only half of this amount due to leaks, technical losses, and poor accounting.

Another serious issue is the low level of wastewater recycling, which in the country stands at just about 1%.

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Plans for 2029

State plans for the coming years foresee significant improvements in the water supply and sewage sectors. Specifically, it is expected that by 2029, access to drinking water will increase from 41% to 72%, and access to sewage will rise from 15% to 30%.

Long-term goals set out in the National Water Strategy up to 2040 include increasing coverage of water supply systems from 41% to 90% and expanding access to centralized sewage systems from 15% to 50%.

Water supply modernization and sewage system construction

The State Program for 2025–2029 includes the modernization of water supply systems in dozens of cities and districts across the country, including Dushanbe, districts under republican subordination, cities and districts of GBAO, and significant parts of Khatlon and Sughd regions. Unlike water supply, sewage coverage is very limited, so the program also includes the construction of new sewage systems.

New sewage systems are planned for Rasht, Roudaki, Farkhor, Khovaling, Muminobod, Asht, Bobojon-Ghafourov, Jabbor-Rasoulov, and Mastchoh districts.

Main challenge: not just building, but maintaining the system

The main challenge is not only the construction of new systems but also effective water loss management, resource accounting, sustainable financing for operation and repairs, as well as the preparation of qualified personnel. Without addressing these issues, even with the expansion of networks, the gap between urban and rural areas may persist.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations conducted a five-day training on laboratory diagnostics of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) for specialists from central and regional laboratories in Tajikistan. The training was part of FAO's regional "One Health" program, which is supported by the State Committee for Food Security of Tajikistan.

According to the FAO Tajikistan press service, the training aimed to enhance laboratory capabilities in diagnosing FMD, a highly contagious viral disease that poses a threat to livestock and food security. The program is funded by the Pandemic Preparedness Fund and is designed to improve the detection, diagnosis, and control of dangerous animal diseases that could spread across borders.

During the training, specialists reportedly covered both theoretical and practical aspects of FMD diagnostics. Special attention was given to internationally recognized diagnostic methods, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect the disease.

"For early detection and effective control of animal diseases, reliable laboratory diagnostics are essential. This training helps Tajikistan’s national laboratories respond more quickly to FMD outbreaks, safeguarding livestock and food security," said Mr. Aghasi Harutyunyan, Acting FAO Representative in Tajikistan.

The course included topics on the spread of FMD, the different types of the disease, and methods of combating it. Participants were also introduced to laboratory biosecurity rules and trained on proper sample collection and transport. In the laboratory, specialists practiced conducting ELISA tests, which help distinguish infected animals from vaccinated ones and check vaccination effectiveness.

By the end of the course, participants significantly improved their diagnostic skills and better understood quality control measures, enhancing their ability to monitor and respond to FMD outbreaks.

"This training was invaluable for our laboratory specialists. We have strengthened our technical skills and are now better prepared to monitor and respond to FMD, protecting both livestock and livelihoods," said Mustafa Muminzoda, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Food Security.

FAO continues to support Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries in strengthening animal health protection systems and preparing for future disease outbreaks. 

This year, the holy month of Ramadan (Ramazon) will begin in Tajikistan on February 19, 2026, with citizens observing fasting until March 20. This was confirmed by Afshin Muqim, the spokesperson for the Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Rituals under the Government of Tajikistan (Committee), in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to Muqim, astronomical calculations have confirmed that the start of Ramadan in 2026 falls on Thursday, February 19, according to the lunar calendar.

He also mentioned that the country's Shuroi Ulamo (Council of Ulema -– Tajikistan’s highest Islamic institution) held a meeting on February 10, where a decision was made based on the conclusion of the Astrophysics Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (NANST).

The meeting reportedly also addressed changes in religious obligations. Specifically, in 2026, the amount of sadaqa al-fitr has been reduced compared to last year, while the amount of zakat has increased.

Changes in religious obligations:

·         Sadaqa al-Fitr (also known as Zakat al-Fitr) is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.  The Arabic word Fitr means the same as iftar, breaking a fast, and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Sadaqa al-Fitr is a duty which is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. This amount is reportedly based on an average price for two kilograms of wheat. This year, each Muslim must pay 7.00 somoni as sadaqa al-fitr, which is 1.00 somoni less than in 2025 (8.00 somoni).

·         Zakat is a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax,] which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer (salat) in importance. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered to be a tax. Zakat is based on income and the value of all of one's possessions.  It is customarily 2.5% (or 1/40) of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab, but Islamic scholars differ on how much nisab is and other aspects of zakat.  According to Islamic doctrine, the collected amount should be paid to the poor, the needy. Today, in most Muslim-majority countries, zakat contributions are voluntary, while in a handful (Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen), zakat is mandated and collected by the state. This yrar, those with savings of 64,000 somoni or more must pay zakat of 1,600.00 somoni. Last year, the savings threshold was 36,900 somoni, and the zakat was 880.00 somoni. Thus, zakat has nearly doubled in 2026.

·         Fidyah or fidya is religious donation made in Islam when a religious obligation (such as fast for Ramadan) has been missed or broken. Fidyah serves as compensation for when a Muslim was unable to fulfill the obligation for reasons beyond their control. This year, for those unable to fast for valid reasons, the fidya for 30 days is 420.00 somoni (14 somoni per day), which is 60.00 somoni less compared to 2025 (480.00 somoni for 30 days).  

The Committee noted that the changes in sadaqa al-fitr, zakat and fidyah amounts are linked to fluctuations in the prices of gold and wheat. Since the price of gold has risen this year, the zakat has also increased. On the other hand, the sadaqa al-fitr is calculated based on the price of wheat, which has decreased in Tajikistan this year, leading to a reduction in the sadaqa al-fitr amount. Similarly, fidyah has been lowered due to the decrease in wheat prices.

Earlier reports indicated that this year, Ramadan in Tajikistan was set to begin on February 18. However, it was later found that this date did not align with the lunar cycle used to determine the start of Ramadan.

Last year, the holy month of Ramadan began on March 1.

The fasting, which is the fourth pillar of Islam, is practiced during the month of Ramadan.  Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground.  It is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638 CE.  It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year.  Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month.

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by observant Muslims.  Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat the Suhoor meal (the predawn meal) and perform their fajr prayer.  They break their fast when the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib (sunset), is due.

During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds.  Purity of both thought and action is important.  The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God Almighty.  The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm.  Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.  It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable.  Muslims can eat after the sun has set.  Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill, travelers and children who have not reached puberty are all exempt from fasting as lack of food and liquid in these situations could be detrimental to health.