Following hijab and Eid ban, Tajik president bans name of “Mohammed”

In a controversial move, the Tajikistan government has officially banned the wearing of the hijab and naming newborns “Mohammed,” in addition to prohibiting the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

This decision is part of a series of measures aimed at curbing religious expressions in the country, where Muslims constitute about 96% of the population.

Tajikistan, a predominantly Muslim country, has seen an increase in restrictions on religious practices in recent years.

President Emomali Rahmon previously enacted laws preventing youths under 18 from participating in religious activities without parental consent, and women were banned from praying in mosques based on a fatwa issued by the government-affiliated Council of Ulema.

As part of a broader campaign against religious symbols, the government has aired television programs that discredit the hijab and encourage women not to wear it.

The president also instructed police to shave young men’s long beards in public, claiming that these measures aim to combat extremism.

In an address to the Tajik people, President Rahmon asserted that the hijab and the black clothing worn by women are not related to Tajik traditions, and that growing a beard has nothing to do with religion, emphasizing that love for God resides in the heart.

Following this speech, the government officially banned the use of the name “Mohammed” for newborns and severely restricted pilgrimage trips for Tajik citizens.

Recently, the Tajik parliament passed a law formally banning the wearing of the hijab and prohibiting the celebration of major Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

These measures have caused widespread concern among Tajik citizens, who view them as an attack on their religious freedom and cultural traditions.

Numerous international human rights organizations have expressed their worries about the impact of these policies on human rights in the country, warning that these measures could lead to increased social and religious tensions.