The Central Asian nation of Tajikistan is majority Muslim, but its government recently launched a crackdown against Islamic headscarves and long beards for men, on the grounds that such attire is “alien to Tajik culture.”
New interviews with Tajik Muslims show the government is pursuing this policy with gusto, causing headaches for American officials who want to build a closer relationship with Tajikistan.
Radio Free Europe (RFE) reported on Sunday that the crackdown on Muslim attire has been effective. One Tajik Muslim interviewed by the outlet explained that he was arrested, fined about $18, and held for three days because he had a long beard – and he is now...
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