The Voice of the Martyrs Canada :: Update: Restrictive religion law approved :: Providing Information and Support for Persecuted Christians

Persecution News - Tajikistan

Update: Religious communities face registration deadline
(December 23, 2009)

Tajikistan Profile

Total Area:
143,100 sq. km

Population:
7,211,884 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, Other 2.6% (2000)

Language:
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Religion:
Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, Other 10% (2003 est.)

Government Type:
Republic

Capital:
Dushanbe

Population Below Poverty Line:
60% (2007 est.)

Country Reports

Update: Restrictive religion law approved

March 18, 2009

President Emomali Rahmon

A restrictive draft religion law sent to the Tajik parliament for approval in November (click here for more information) was approved by the Lower House of parliament on March 5 and by the Upper House on March 13. The law is expected to go to President Emomali Rahmon for signing in coming weeks.

For more information on the opposition of Christians in Tajikistan, click here.