Joint initiative of state and Islamic authorities. The growth of some very active religious groups in the country, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, is worrying. However, the official line is that there will be no pursuit.
Moscow () – The authorities of the Mari region in Turkmenistan have launched a campaign to oppose the growth of followers of religions other than Muslim. They recommend to local imams that they intensify their preaching against the proselytizing of other movements and communities, which are in any case a minority in the country.
Beginning on August 1, the Mari administration and the regional directorate of the Ministry of National Security summoned representatives of the Islamic clergy and staff serving mosques for methodological orientation meetings, correspondents reported. Radio Azatlyk in Mari. Participants were told what was the best way to promote a preference for Islam among the population, while refraining from coming into contact with foreign religions.
This “symphony” between the state and Islam is more reminiscent of Orthodox Byzantine traditions than of Islamic theocracies, where the clergy generally prevail over the government. For their part, Turkmen mullahs and muezzins are required to attend meetings, which are supervised by state officials, have to sign the minutes and are photographed to confirm their presence. There is concern about the growth of some very active religious groups in the country, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Christians are also discussed in methodological meetings. They are of various denominations. There are even Catholics, but they are really a small group. Almost all are of Polish or German origin. The mission is entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who celebrate in the chapel of the nunciature (currently empty), where the superior of the Missio sui juris, the Polish priest Andrzei Madej, celebrates in Russian, English and Polish. But in no case does he intend to snatch the faithful from the Muslims.
Speakers at Mari meetings say: “If we continue like this, there will be no Muslims left, there is no interest in religion among young people.” The clergy are expected to preach more intensely and aggressively, targeting women in particular to refrain from wearing tight clothing and using cosmetics, prescriptions that have been made imperative since the start of President Serdar’s term. Men should also show wisdom and discretion, avoiding wearing shorts even when it’s hotter.
There are complaints about the deterioration of the most careful elderly clerics, those who can wash the bodies of the deceased for funeral ceremonies, a service that young people do not like very much. The Muslim clergy must be more vigilant and insist, providing the authorities with data on the attendance of Muslim relatives at events of other religious communities and trying to convince the “wanderers” to return to the “traditional religion of the Turkmen”. Much effort must be made to convince young people to attend at least the main ceremonies and, in general, to visit mosques and Islamic schools more frequently, to “seek the consolation of pilgrimage”, to recite the daily prayers and observe the fasts, give alms and observe the other prescriptions.
However, the State’s instruction is to always remember that “there will be no persecution for religious reasons” in Turkmenistan, although pressures are increasingly insistent on abstinence from alcohol and growing a beard. The representatives of other religions do not complain, but at least ask “not to use the Muslim religion to feed the cult of personality”, as an anonymous pastor explains, referring to the presidential family.
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