Organization of Islamic Cooperation concerned with the ban to visit mosques for minors in Tajikistan

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is concerned with the new law on parental responsibilities for the upbringing and education of children, which came into force in Tajikistan last week, AKI press reported.The government newspapers Jumhuriyat published the law on parental responsibilities for the upbringing and education of children on August 6.Responsibilities of the parents also include prevention of children from participation "in the activities of religious association, except for children enrolled in formal religious institutions".The party of Islamic Renaissance of Tajikistan also expressed their concerns since the law contradicts the Constitution of Republic, International legal standards limiting the rights and freedoms of citizens.U.S. stated that "if the law will come into force, it will deprive millions of citizens of Tajikistan with the right to practice religion".US Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the US government to put pressure on the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.Authorities of Republic claim that law is aimed to control and to protect the younger generation from religious radicalization.The President of Tajikistan signed initiated law on August 2.+/129