Uzbekistan bans children from mosques on Eid Al-Adha festival

Claiming that children minds should not be distracted by religion, Uzbekistan has banned children from attending regular Friday and `Eid prayer in mosques, in the latest violation of their religious rights.

 The government’s position was that “children’s brains should not be distracted” from school studies by religion, a local official in Tashkent. 

The official added that the government thinks children should only learn what is taught at school, and that religious studies should take place only after students have finished their high-school studies.

The local official was referring to the latest order issued by Uzbekistan’s Education Ministry on September 23 which imposed a fine of about $750 on parents if their children were caught by the authorities in mosque.

The huge fine equals to 15 months’ salary at the country’s minimum wage.

Rights groups have long accused Uzbekistan of suppressing religious freedoms as part of a campaign against religious extremism.