DUSHANBE, October 13, Asia-Plus -- Seven major mosques have opened in Tajikistan since the beginning of the year, bringing the total number of mosques in the country to 278, Tohir Rashidov, the deputy head of the Committee for Religious Affairs, told journalists in Dushanbe on October 12.

He said that nearly half the mosques do not have the required documents. 

”Inspections by the committee have recorded instances of unauthorized opening of training centers at some city and district mosques, and local imams even do not know the exact number of students attending their centers,” Rashidov said, nor do imams have documents certifying the consent of parents for their children to participate praying. 

He also noted that in some instances religious literature was being sold illegally.