DUSHANBE, 02.11.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. The second International Conference on the topic of “The role of fatwas (canonical conclusions) in the stability of society” held from 17th to 19th of October 2017 in Cairo, under the auspices of the Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. 

The Conference participants discussed the significance of the fatwas according to the canons of the Qur’on and the Sunnah of the Prophet in a rapidly changing world. In the course of this event the issues of extremism, that need to be addressed through raising the qualifications of the imams of communities, had been discussed as well. It was noted that the imams must possess tools and methods for the true representation of the Islam in the West.

Ministers, muftis, scientists, representatives of the diplomatic missions and statesmen from 63 countries had also taken part in the Conference. The Republic of Tajikistan was represented by Mr. Saidmukarram Abdulqodirzoda, the Head of Council of Ulamas of the Islamic Centre of Tajikistan.    

In his addressing, Mr. S.Abdulqodirzoda had noted that nowadays some extremist political parties and movements “shielded” by Islam and in pursuit of their own goals intentionally mislead people from the right course. In particular, he stated that the IRPT, as one of those terrorist and extremist organizations, functioned as a political party in Tajikistan since independence of the country and in 2015 it issued a fatwa stating that: “those who won’t vote during elections in favour of the IRPT – they are infidels” hence deceiving the feelings of the believers. By doing so the IRPT was intended to call people to overthrow the constitutional system of our Republic. Therefore, on 29 of September 2016, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tajikistan declared the IRPT as a terrorist and extremist organization and outlawed its activity within the country.           

Mr. S. Abdulqodirzoda in his further speech had expressed hope that his colleagues from other countries would also fight against those dogmas and fatwas that serve purposes and interests of the terrorists.

Professor Ibrahim Najm, the Secretary-General of the institutions and structures of the world’s muftis from the Arab Republic of Egypt had also expressed his opinion on the IRPT activity. He particularly noted, that the IRPT follows the idea of the Muslim Brotherhood Organization (Ikhwanul muslimin), whose activity was banned in Tajikistan in 2006 immediately after it was enlisted as an outlawed organization in the Russian Federation and in several other European countries. “We must further prevent the activity of such organizations through the publication of clear interpretation of Islam and issuing of fatwas and to isolate the youth from their destructive intentions” noted Professor Najm.      

Professor Ahmad Atya, Minister of the Committee on religious affairs of the Republic of Yemen in his speech questioned – “What would happen to those who in the name of Allah shed the blood of the innocents, impinge upon the honor of people, commit barbarity, provoke and instigate wars?”.

The Director-General of the Centre for the Islamic research of Egypt, Professor Muhiddin Afify stated that the scientists of the Al-Azhar, one of the oldest and prestigious Muslim spiritual universities of the world, condemn the criminal acts of the IRPT, ISIS, al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations whose activities contradict the principles of the Islamic laws. “Islam always calls for the peaceful life and prosperity”, noted Professor Afify.  

Mr. Marzouk Abdulloh Awlad, professor of the Amsterdam Free University noted that Egypt is the “Caaba” of science. But nowadays this country suffers from the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood Organization. The European countries have failed to prevent the spreading of terrorism and extremism in their lands and today “they are reaping what they actually sowed”. 

Within the framework of the Conference, the Head of Council of Ulamas of Tajikistan has met the journalists of the Arab countries. The main questions were the process of issuing of fatwas in Tajikistan, the cooperation of the Republican Council of Ulamas with other religious organizations around the world. The journalist has shown a specific interest in the terrorist activities of the IRPT. 

During the Conference, Mr. S. Abdulqodirzoda also held discussions with the Imam Akbar, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayib and Mr. Shavky Allom, Mufti of the Egypt. They discussed the development of the cooperation between Tajikistan and the Egypt. The sides also noted that the Muslim Brotherhood Organization and the IRPT are the common enemies of the people of Tajikistan and the Egypt. They also expressed their readiness for joint actions against terrorist and extremist organizations that act in the name of the Islam religion.

We witnessed that the world official Islamic spirituals declare the IRPT as a terrorist and extremist organization and resolutely condemns its activities. Let’s not argue with an allegation about this organization. It is known that because of the IRPT and its members there were lots of bloodsheds, hundreds of families lost their breadwinners and our society was significantly affected by them.    

Today not only the Islamic world but also the Regional anti-terror structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization enlisted the IRPT as a terrorist, extremist and separatist organization. The IRPT had been also included in the list of organizations that are recognized as terrorist and extremist in the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

At present, the leadership of the IRPT and some of its members avoid being brought to justice and reside within European countries. Majority of them have been granted political asylum. And therefore a question arises – what for? Because they shed the blood of innocents, called for overthrowing the constitutional system of Tajikistan? The IRPT leaders within the whole period of their activities in the Republic of Tajikistan maintained close contacts with the international terrorist organizations and other foreign destructive forces that supported them financially.   

Tajikistan, like the western countries, is a secular, law-governed and democratic state. But representatives of some European organizations while addressing the audience from high tribunes speak out on alleged cases of violations of the rights and freedoms of the Muslims in Tajikistan. I would like to give a mere example: the overall territory of Tajikistan constitutes 143 sq. km, its population makes up 8 734 951, the number of the functioning mosques is 4000. Since country’s independence gaining 200 000 Tajiks have performed Hajj to “Caaba”. Then about what kind of other values else one can speak? 

Nowadays Europe is conducting double standard politics. It is fighting the terrorism and extremism, in particular, the radical Islam. But at the same time, it supports such organizations. Radicalized Islamists and intelligence services of some unfriendly countries are supporting and financing the IRPT that intended to change violently the constitutional system of Tajikistan by force and establish radical Islamic state and to turn the country into Afghanistan, where more than 40 years the fratricide wars are continuing, where the rights of people are being flagrantly violated, there exist lots of Islamic parties that are not able to stabilize the situation and instead they facilitate its complication. But Europe is silent.   

We confidently assert that the Republic of Tajikistan in fighting against terrorism and extremism acts strictly according to its legislation and international legal norms. And this struggle doesn’t mean the violation of the rights and the freedoms of the Muslims in the country at all. 

Thus, a question arises hereby – does Europe, by supporting the terrorist and extremist organization – the IRPT, wish Tajikistan to become an Islamic state with the radical specifics?  Certainly, we very much hope that Europeans will cease the supporting of this organization and they will develop good willing relations with the Republic of Tajikistan as a secular, law-governed and democratic state. 

Author of article:
Nozim Mahmadiev, Docent of
Tajik National University

Published in “Narodnaya gazeta”
newspaper    (№ 46) on 01.11.2017