DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus  -- A new draft law entitled “On Religious Freedom and Religious Associations” that was considered by the board (Shuro) of the lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of the Tajik parliament last Monday had been authored by MP Muhiddin Kabiri who is also leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT).

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Mr. Kabiri said that his bill makes an emphasis on religious freedom, while the bill sponsored by the government mainly suggests restrictions.  

 He also noted that under his bill religious and tourist organization should be engaged in sending Tajik Muslims to the Islamic holy places (Hajj) but the government.  At present, the Department for Religious Affairs (DRA) within the Ministry of Culture (MoC) controls participation of Tajik Muslims in Hajj.

In the meantime, the source at the Majlisi Namoyandagon said that they have yet received for consideration the draft religion law authored by the government.

We will recall that that the draft religion law authored by the State Committee for Religious Affairs (SCRA) and entitled "On Freedom of Conscience, on Religious Associations and Other [Religious] Organizations has been discussed for two years.  

 The government-sponsored draft law would replace the 1994 Law on Religion, which was amended several times, the last time being in 2001.  It adds restrictions, such as increasing to 400 the number of petition signatures required to form a religious association, prohibiting religious education in private houses, prohibiting proselytizing, prohibiting religious associations from participating in political activities, etc.  

On June 28, 2007 representatives of 22 minority religious groups signed an open letter to the President and Parliament expressing concern that the draft law would effectively outlaw minority religious groups in the country.