The Kyrgyz parliament passed two laws regulating the religious sphere of life. Among other things, women were banned from covering their faces in public places, distributing religious literature and establishing political parties whose activities were based on religion. The laws are waiting for the president's approval, but this seems to be a formality.
Djogorku Kenesh, i.e. the Supreme Council (unicameral parliament Kyrgyzstan) adopted on Thursday in the second and third reading two laws – “On freedom of religion and religious associations” and “On amending certain legislative acts of the Kyrgyz Republic in the religious sphere.” The president will now decide about the fate of the laws, but his decision seems to be a formality.
In addition to the above-mentioned restrictions, the newly adopted regulations also provide for others, such as a ban on inviting clergy to teach or lecture in social welfare homes, prisons or military units without the consent of authorized bodies.
It will also be impossible to conduct any religious activity or use buildings to conduct such activity without appropriate registration.
Kyrgyzstan focuses on the secular nature of the state
Agitation consisting in going from house to house and persuading people to adopt or deepen their knowledge of any religion, as well as promoting it in state institutions, will also be illegal.
Persons who wish to receive religious education abroad must make arrangements with the State Commission for Religious Affairs and the central governing body of the religious organization of a given denomination.
There is also a requirement to register facilities used for religious worship, as well as a ban on engaging minors in religious activities and appointing them to any related positions. The law also includes an enigmatic-sounding provision prohibiting “diminishing the traditions of the Kyrgyz nation through religious norms.”
According to the legislators, the bans introduced are intended to ensure the secular character of the state.
Concerns about growing Islamization in schools
According to experts, such actions are dictated by the authorities' concerns about the growing Islamization of the society located in Kyrgyzstan, located in Central Asia. In May, it was reported that there are 130 religious educational institutions in the country inhabited by approximately seven million people, including 34 madrassas for girls.
For comparison, in a city inhabited by over 20 million people Kazakhstan There are 12 such schools and a population of over 35 million Uzbekistan – 15. Politicians sounded the alarm that the activities of Islamic schools in Kyrgyzstan were not regulated.
Not only politicians, but also part of society are concerned about the sources of financing of some institutions. It is known that many madrasas were built with funds from Persian Gulf countries that want to expand their influence in Kyrgyzstan. This raises fears that varieties of Islam other than Hanafi Islam, preached by “licensed” Kyrgyz muftis, will begin to penetrate society.
Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies from time to time report on inspections of official and “underground” schools, as well as on the closure of some of them. This is sometimes because the organizers of such institutions do not have formal religious education, and many of the children they teach do not attend regular schools. Often, citizens themselves, fearing the possibility of an increase in extremist tendencies, inform the authorities about the activities of such establishments.
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