DUSHANBE, January 9, 2013, Asia-Plus – Abdurahim Kholiqov, the head of the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) under the Government of Tajikistan, has denied information that CRA has ordered the Shuroi Ulamo to establish the length of beard for Muslims in Tajikistan as “absolutely unfounded.”

Kholiqov told reporters on January 8 that the CRA has not ordered to establish the length of beard for men and the dress standards for women.  “This information is baseless,” said CRA head.  “Certain circles have spread this information to suit their own ends.”  

As it had been reported earlier, an official source at the Shuroi Ulamo (Council of Ulamo – The Islamic Council that issues fatwas (religious rulings) and religious guidance to Islamic religious organizations) told Asia-Plus on November 17, 2012 that the Shuroi Ulamo has established the length of beard for men and the dress standards for women following an instruction from the CRA.

He noted that under the Hanafi Fiqh (the majority of residents of Tajikistan adhere to the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam), there ought to keep a beard of one fist (to cut the hair of the beard that exceeds the amount that may be grasped in the fist).  “Women are allowed to wear dress as satre aurat – to cover the whole body except face, hands and foots,” the source noted.

Last month, CRA representatives refrained from commenting on the issue, alleging absence of top managers.

We will recall that in September 2009 the Ministry of Education issued a dress code prohibiting teachers under age 50 from wearing a beard.  The Council of Ulamo stressed the need for persons to wear traditional robes and headwear, as opposed to religious dress considered foreign, such as a hijab, while in public.

The report by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor within the U.S. Department of State on religious freedom in Tajikistan for 2011 notes women wearing hijab and men with beards were discriminated against in seeking employment.