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special green attire that is designed to reflect the Islamic and Tajik traditions. As
in the case of male religious teachers, the government is currently trying to create
a semi-formal female “clergy” whose members would be loyal to the state.
In order to prevent public gatherings with religious leaders and to trace those
who criticise the existing social and political order, the government has put a num-
ber of limitations on performing certain rituals. All religious leaders must register
in the area where they live, and their actions are closely monitored. In its efforts
to discredit religious leaders and political opponents, the authorities have gone as
far as to releasing videos with mullahs engaged in extramarital sex.
Yet, despite all government’s efforts, the state-backed clergy is not held in high
regard by the population, like in the Soviet times. Especially that, oddly enough,
some official Islamic leaders support Salafi-like ideologies, adhering to a rather
strict version of Islam and often openly criticise local traditions. President Rah-
mon’s recent friendship with the Saudis, which offers financial support for Tajik-
istan, also raises the question of the actual motives
behind the forced secularisation and anti-extremism
policies. While there is little doubt that they primar-
ily serve to discredit political opponents, the sympathy
of the official clergy for orthodox streams of Islam
demonstrates double standards in state policy and the
ambiguity of the religious situation in Tajikistan.
By excluding critical religious and spiritual leaders
from the public discourse, the government seeks to
prevent the public from expressing its grievances. It
tries to control Islam because it is the only force that
can unite society against the unfair social system. Those
religious leaders who oppose the rules of the game are
forced to leave the country – a majority end up going to Russia. In the long per-
spective, an alternative centre of Islam for Tajik migrants may develop in Russia,
where resistance against Rahmon’s government can be easily formed. Moreover,
a lack of Islamic education and respected religious authority has created fertile
ground for various ideologies, including extremist ones, which can easily attract
people to follow radical groups.Witch huntFollowing religious leaders, Rahmon decided to also harass healers, fortune-
tellers and other “spiritual specialists”. In 2015 he signed amendments to the crimi-The recent friendship
between President
Rahmon and the
Saudis raises the
question of the actual
motives behind the
forced secularisation
and anti-extremism
policies.Opinion & Analysis In search of the enemies of the state, Anna Cieślewska