Rahmonov v/s Islamization in Tajikistan
Rahmonov asked the local businessmen to stop building mosques. Wow! The Tajik newspaper “Sobitiya” (RUS), reports that nowadays Tajikistan is the only country in CIS, which does not ban Islamic parties. However the author thinks that it does not mean the secular authority is not concerned about the islamization process in the country.
It is not the first time the president of the country insists that the clerics have to stop recruiting young people to mosques. “I continually say - stop building mosques! Invest the spare money into new enterprises and schools”, - said Rahmonov in his speech for the local businessmen…
The observers say that the population of the country, especially in the regions, slowly falls under islamization process, and it is mostly promoted by corrupted officials and “new Tajiks” (rich Tajiks), who want to “wash away” their sins before Allah… In this case the islamization implies strengthening of conservatism and radicalism among the Muslims, but not the increase in number, as the overwhelming majority of the citizens (Tajiks and Uzbeks) are Muslims from birth…
I think the president is right. I am personally against the process of islamization. People should respect their traditions and preserve what they get from their ancestors but it should not be turned into radicalism or conservatism or fundamentalism, which can easily create more space for the activity of terrorist organizations.
on March 16th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
“I am personally against the process of islamization. People should respect their traditions and preserve etc… which can easily create more space for the activity of terrorist organizations.”
No matter what Rakhmonov or Ubaidolloev or Karimov… say or do, I think the key question and concern for Tajikistan and the CA region is not *if* there is/will be re-Islamisation, but rather *what kind* of Islamisation.
Despite all the fuss and psychosis around it, I think that the chances for Salafism talking root and gaining a substantial following in Taj and CA are marginal.
The biggest threat is a strengthening of this emasculated, loyal ‘folk Islam’ and corrupt patriarchalism justified by ‘Islam’, as is being done now, at the detriment of ’social Islam’ or neo-Jadidism.
“Invest the spare money into new enterprises”
Agree 100% if there were not doubts about how to realise that in an environment where all entreprise activity and economic initiative that are not controlled by the presidential family, its cronies and hokim-satraps are being strangled?
on March 16th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
The benefits of faith should not be underestimated in the fabric of a society. The benefits of uncorrupt and non-politicized faith are generally positive. They inspire good behavior of citizens they instill morality and social responsibility.
However, in a country that needs to address its most basic needs (education, sanitation, etc.) spending thousands of dollars on mosques is just not only immoral but also discredits Tajik clergy.
It goes again to show how the clergy cares about the needs of population. The gravity of the situation plays to their benefit and in many ways I recognize pre-war Tajikistan in these latest developments (i.e. islamization of population among the falling literacy rates and grave economic situation).
More and more people (mainly religious people) are talking about a change. These sentiments are picking momentum and I have a feeling that the source of these sentiments is rooted in these mosques (the centers of brainwashing).
Sooner or later (if nothing is done) we will end up with another angry mob calling for islamic state and revolution (just like in ’90s).
This is pathetic. Some people never learn.
on March 19th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
“The benefits of faith should not be underestimated in the fabric of a society. The benefits of uncorrupt and non-politicized faith are generally positive. They inspire good behavior of citizens they instill morality and social responsibility.”
Bingo. You see, eventually we will agree on things. ;)lol
Rearding mosques, Abdul Sitar Edhi, a Pakistani philantropist and a praticing Muslim (see www.edhifoundation.com ) once told that “mosques are useless if they are locked outside of prayer times and do not have a wider social role.”
That is why I’m rather sympathetic to the concept of the Ismaili jama’at khana, mosques-cum-community centres. Or that of the chaikhana (de factor more a community centre than a teahouse) which often also serve as mosques. I saw the latter often in Sunni areas of Tajikistan (eg. Rasht) although there it is more a legacy of Soviet times when the teahouse served as a ‘camouflage’ for a mosque.
on March 19th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
“Bingo. You see, eventually we will agree on things. ;)lol”
Yes, but the words uncorrupt and non-politicized are the two big qualifiers here. Not every denomination of Islam (certainly not the one in Tajikistan) meets them
on March 20th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Tajik authorities put a crackdown on illegal Mosques in Dushanbe
on March 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Vadim,
Looks like someone in the government of Tajikistan is reading my posts
on March 20th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I wonder how many cafés and other vodka fests with blaring bands keeping neighbours out of their sleep until 3 am are fully corresponding to all legal norms (fiscal, public health, …).
How about closing them too?
on March 20th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Ataman Rakin, totally agree, they should shut down those blaring karaoke outlets that pop up right under our noses that do not let people sleep peacefully. i wonderf why the government is not regulating these places. i am sure these establishments are illegal, but i guess they are a source of income for corrupt policemen that condone their existance.
on March 20th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Vadim, in Central Asia, the strain of Islam is different from elsewhere. Islam here as far as I know is apolitical. CA will never be a recruiting ground for groups like Hizbu Tahrir and the like, because deep down people are wary of these wackos.
on March 24th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Dear Atman and to all those who are against building Mosques,
Dear all the problem in Tajikistan is not in spending our money in building the mosques. As we all not the expenditure which will be spend in all alcoholic drink is exceeding the expense of spending the on construction of mosques. I think the danger of our people (special young) going to alcohol drink is very high. Because in our history we know that a lot of our great scholar in different since graduated from the Mosque not from any University or school. Why we are not using mosque as place for educating our young people rather stopping people from expending. Why we are not speaking about the cost expense which a person will make in buying a ticket of 100 Somoni just for 2 hour concert? Why we are speaking about the cost money spend in alcoholic drink? Why we are not speaking about the money which our government employs spend in building their homes which by the salary which they gate they can not build those expensive Homes? Why we have double standard policy we say democratic but when people choose Islam and spend their money in the way of Islam we say it must be stop it must be go in investment or enterprise project. If it democratic let people do what they want as long they are not committed they rights under law of Tajikistan. I think we shall get license from our recent war and other countries who stop that stopping people from their desire will lead the country to another war. We shall not forget that we have 1200 km border with Afghanistan and situation in Afghanistan is not stable. Therefore we have to put interest of our nation above all the things and shall not follow what ever dictation come to us from outside which they are not thinking about our interest.
Thanks to all.
Firoz
on March 26th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Brother Firoz,
To make matters clear, I am not *against* building mosques at all. What I am saying is, that mosques should be given a wider social relevance in the communities (as they do in certain Muslim countries) instead of just being places were you pray on the occasion of Nawruz, Kurban Ayit, funerals/weddings etc.
Other than that, I fully agree with you reg. the double standards and hypocrisy around it all:
“Why we are speaking about the cost money spend in alcoholic drink? Why we are not speaking about the money which our government employs spend in building their homes which by the salary which they gate they can not build those expensive Homes?”
Not to speak of the (totally un-Islamic) social obligation to spend fortunes on lavish marriages and weddings that often financially cripple families for many years.
Allah hafiz!
on March 26th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
““Why we are speaking about the cost money spend in alcoholic drink? ”
Maybe because those who drink have a loyalty to their nation (instead to a bunch of arabs) and don’t try to overthrow their governments by force and illegally every now and then?
Or because it is the wish of people to drink and unwind? In any case the cost should not be an issue. It is covered… by the customers. That’s free economy, my friend
“Why we are not speaking about the money which our government employs spend in building their homes which by the salary which they gate they can not build those expensive Homes?”
I have to agree. This is a completely valid point and needs to be looked at separately (Ataman, would you care to write about this?).
However, your point does not replace my question (why is clergy spending tons of money on Mosques while more pressing issues are gone unaddressed?).
on March 26th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
“Maybe because those who drink have a loyalty to their nation (instead to a bunch of arabs) and don’t try to overthrow their governments by force and illegally every now and then?”
1) If national loyalty is measured in terms of alcohol consumption, it rather indicates the pathetic state of the nation or, at least, its power elites, doesnt’ it?
2) “(instead to a bunch of arabs)” Long time no hear, that one.
lol
3) “a loyalty to their nation (instead to a bunch of arabs) and don’t try to overthrow their governments” AHA! That one I like the most. So what you basically admit is that (the promotion of) alcohol(ism) is indeed ‘opii dlya naroda’, a way to keep people docile. “by force and illegally every now and then?” Pfff. What does ‘illegaly’ means after all. People have the right to overthow criminal governments.
on March 26th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
“If national loyalty is measured in terms of alcohol consumption, it rather indicates the pathetic state of the nation or, at least, its power elites, doesnt’ it?”
Loyality is not measured by alcohol consumption. It just happens that those who have liberal views about the dos and don’t of the society care about it much more than religious people (who have an agenda of their own and not necessarily beneficial to their nations).
“AHA! That one I like the most. So what you basically admit is that (the promotion of) alcohol(ism) is indeed ‘opii dlya naroda’”
I am not admitting anything. It is just there (and should be there). Whoever wants to drink does so. I have done it many times
Trust me, it isn’t such a bad thing (if you know when to stop). People in TJ usually do. 
on April 3rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
For Tajik Boy,
“Maybe because those who drink have a loyalty to their nation (instead to a bunch of arabs) and don’t try to overthrow their governments by force and illegally every now and then?”
We are not following bunch of Arabs, Arab has Christian and Muslims. Please do not insult 95 % Muslim population of Tajikistan if you are real Tajik (MUSLEM).
Regarding the alcohol drinkers are more loyal to their nation, who said this or it just you view. I advise go and read the history of Tajik nation and other nations, drinkers in all Muslim nation betrayers for their countries. Those are not drinking of alcohol and religious (those who has strong Iman in God and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) they give their soul for their country. I think you know if you have read Tajikistan history, Fuzail Maxsym. He fought against Russian who occupied Tajikistan in 1924 until he hast last blood where alcohol drinkers sold their nation and killed their people with Russian army. Now tell who are loyal to their nation.
If spending in alcohol drinking is in you view free/market economy, why spending in mosques is not free/market economy. This is as I said double standard.
Tajik clergies are not spending money in building. Businessmen are spending in the mosques. Because one of the best investment for hereafter is to spend your money in mosques. Even me, I have intention to build three Mosques. But I think we have to get benefit from other Islamic countries where in mosques they have schools and libraries. Why we are not using mosques fully rather then stopping people from spending.
Regarding our tradition in spending a lot of money in wedding and other events (such as 40 and 7 for death body this not belong to Islam these our tradition. I am 100 % in favor of stopping these events.
Last thing, I am absolutely against revolution (such as green, orange and etc.) We shall make reform from inside TJK not outside. What Kyrgyzstan gained? What Ukraine gained? Nothing just more problems for ordinary people.
Thanks
on April 5th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
“We are not following bunch of Arabs, Arab has Christian and Muslims. Please do not insult 95 % Muslim population of Tajikistan if you are real Tajik (MUSLEM).”
See? I mean, I am surprised that some do not want to understand that Islam is not ‘Arab monopoly’ per se. In CA, for example, one zenith period of Islam was during the Samanid reign, a *Persian* dynasty.
on May 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
am a Fundementalist , Terrorist and Extremist. Fundementalist is a person who follows the fundementals of something . e.g A doctor to be a doctor He should know the fundemental of the medicine. If he won’t be a fundementalist in his field. He wouldn’t be a good doctor. To know something. You should know the fundementals of it. I know the fundemental of islam which is the Islamic creed(shahadah) Prayers, zakat, fast and pilgramige. so whats wrong being a fundementalist. Terrorist… Terrorist is a person who terrorize someone. e.g My countries is being attacked by americans.. for them i am terrrorist and but to my country i am a freedom fighter. In the same context many countries can be taken. for me americans are terrorist. Why shouldn’t be I extremist ? i am extremely devoted to my God. I extremly love my parents, I extremely humble , kind and respect others , i am exteme in doing good things.. Regarding the sects.. God says in Quran… And hold fast the rope of God and be not divided. Our prophet PBUH was not a sunni or shia he didn’t belong to any sect. Those scholars.. may Allah bless them had only thoughts and preached islam. We should steadfast to Quran and Sahih Hadith. and be not divided. If anyone wants to know more in detail. i am willing to explain alot. I challenge the whole world to show me any single principle of islam against humanity. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. every where according to CNN report 20,000. accepts islam in USA only. There are black sheeps in every society. Islam shouldn’d be blamed for it. There are people who call themselves muslim but they know nothing what their religion teaches. Its the media which has potraited islam bad. I am a student of comparative religions. I know christianity , judaism buddhism and hindhuism. I have read their scriptures. I am willing to talk abou it. 20% of muslim populations are arabs .. the rest 80% are non arabs..
May i know something. IS AFGHANISTAN IN CENTRAL ASIA ????
on September 29th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I like that!r
on September 30th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
excellent texture.
on September 30th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Really perfect!