57Tightening controlOne of the most important factors that has influenced the formation of the
various Islamic tendencies in Tajik society was the civil war (1992 – 97) between
the opposition, led by the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (or IRPT), and
governmental forces. Following the war, religious activists, some of whom were
supported by the IRPT, became the key actors shaping the political situation in
the country and influencing the main ideological streams. The impact of the IRPT
increased over time and the organisation became one of the main political forces in
Tajikistan. But the continuing discussions on matters of religion were soon marked
by increasing ideological differences between the religious leaders loyal to the state
and those departing from the governmental mainstream.
Shortly after signing of the peace agreement in 1997, the government began
to undermine the position of the IRPT and its allies (including religious leaders),
launching a number of campaigns to diminish the influence of the opposition. Fi-
nally, at the end of August 2015, the IRPT was de-legalised and the mass arrest of
its members followed. Many activists, including the head of the party, Muhiddin
Kabiri, went into exile. IRPT leaders and activists received prison sentences or
were forced to renounce their party membership. At the end of September 2015
the high court classified the IRPT as a terrorist group, alleging that the party had
been planning a coup.
The dissolution of the party was a symbolic culmination of various government
campaigns aimed at tightening control over religious life in the country. In 2009
the government passed a law granting the Hanafi School of Islam a special role in
the national culture and spiritual life of the people of Tajikistan, which effectively
made it the official denomination. Ever since, the law has been used as a tool to
extort control over society. Various forms of legislation have been implemented
to curb the independence of religious institutions and religious leaders, while
counteracting Islamic extremism – that is, all religious practices the government
deems illegitimate, have been cited as the official reason for curtailing freedoms.
Limiting influenceReligious life in Tajikistan is expected to be supervised by the Committee for
Religious Affairs (Kumitai Dini). It has branches in all districts as well as munici-
palities, and controls the Supreme Council of Ulama (Shuroi Ulamo). One of the
most important steps undertaken by the committee, supported by the Tajik gov-
ernment, is limiting the influence of religious education.
In search of the enemies of the state, Anna Cieślewska Opinion & Analysis