Latest news with #Tajiks
Arab Times
29-03-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait, Tajikistan expand cooperation with new embassies and direct flights
KUWAIT CITY, March 29: Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Tajikistan Dr. Zubaydullah Zubaydov has confirmed the opening of a Kuwaiti Embassy in the capital -- Dushanbe, as well as the appointment of a Kuwaiti ambassador there; indicating the opening is expected to take place within the next few months. At a press conference held recently to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Kuwaiti-Tajik relations, Zubaydov announced the allocation of land for the construction of the Tajik Embassy in the diplomatic zone in Mishref. He said construction will begin soon, without specifying a date. He also revealed that his country abolished entry visas for Kuwaitis; adding that during his meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Al- Yahya, they discussed facilitating the entry of Tajiks to Kuwait with the Kuwaiti side. He said the minister promised to consider this matter as soon as possible and to allow Tajiks to obtain electronic visas. He expressed his satisfaction over the achievements made so far; stressing 'our political relations are distinguished. We have signed approximately 30 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with Kuwait. We also have a program to develop economic relations between the two countries.' He confirmed the contributions of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to the development process in Tajikistan, where the fund has financed six vital projects. He added 'Kuwait will host the Foreign Affairs Conference of the Gulf and Central Asian States in the middle of next month. The Tajik foreign affairs minister will attend the conference. A leaders' summit will be held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in May and there is cooperation between the two countries in the field of combating terrorism; specifically the conference held in Kuwait on this issue, co-chaired by the United Nations, Kuwait and Tajikistan.' Regarding the supply of Tajik water to the Gulf region, he stated that 'Tajikistan was one of the countries under the former Soviet Union. It has approximately 60 percent of the water reserves in Central Asia, so it can supply the Gulf countries with fresh water through Iran.' He affirmed his belief in the possibility of implementing the project in the near future, as well as the possibility of cooperation in the field of electricity generation. He pointed out that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon chose Kuwait as the first Arab country he officially visited, reflecting Tajikistan's commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and learn from the experience of Kuwait as a developed country. He said 'the tourism sector is another area for strengthening cooperation between the two friendly countries. This progress has facilitated the establishment of direct flights between the capitals of Tajikistan and Kuwait through Kuwait Airways.' 'Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Kuwait, the foreign affairs ministries of the two countries have actively sought to implement the directives of their leaderships; thereby, strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual concern. Bilateral political consultations, several sessions of which have been held in the capitals of the two friendly countries, are considered the main mechanism for coordinating and overseeing these efforts,' he explained.
Saba Yemen
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Foreign Fighters Establish Control Over 19 Areas in Syria
Damascus – SABA: Well-informed Syrian sources revealed on Thursday that foreign fighters, who have joined extremist armed groups in Syria, have taken control of 19 areas across the country. According to the Al-Ma'louma news website, fighters from seven foreign nationalities, including Azeris, Chechens, Tajiks, and Uyghurs, form the core of these extremist groups and have asserted dominance over nine regions in Syria, particularly in five areas of Idlib, in addition to other locations scattered across Syrian territory. The sources stated that these fighters are primarily affiliated with Jabhat al-Nusra, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, as well as other extremist factions. Many of them have integrated into the so-called "New Syrian Security Apparatus" through alliances with Julani's factions. These militants are reportedly enforcing their ideology in the areas they control and have started forming social enclaves to serve as support bases. This, the sources warn, could lead to radicalized communities similar to Al-Hol Camp, known for housing extremist elements. Additionally, they are attempting to expand into Damascus and its suburbs by forcibly displacing residents and seizing homes under the pretext of being close to Julani's leadership. The sources emphasized that these groups operate without any deterrence, treating the situation as if they are in complete control. It is worth noting that Syria has attracted thousands of extremists over the years from various Arab and Islamic countries, particularly from South and East Asia. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tajik women speak out against government fashion advice
Women in Tajikistan are being advised by the government to dress more "Tajik-style" and not wear either revealing Western clothes or Islamic head coverings -- supposedly to reinforce national identity. Some in the secular Muslim country are speaking out against the advice, including from President Emomali Rakhmon as well as in the form of a manual due to be issued by the government this year. The advice to be published in July will be based on "scientific and historical sources", Khurshed Nizomi, a culture ministry official, told AFP. The manual applies to women "of all ages" and will give tips on what to wear "at work, at home, at the theatre or during celebrations", he said. But Firuza Naimova, a pharmacist, questioned the need for government advice to women on clothing. "There are many economic and social problems -- a lack of electricity, the air quality, emigration" to Russia, she told AFP in Dushanbe, the poorest capital of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. "Why do they want to give lessons to women? They can choose their own clothes," Naimova said. A previous manual from the government in 2018 advised women to avoid revealing European clothing, mini-skirts, and low necklines, but also refrain from wearing black and head-covering hijabs. Instead, they should wear long and brightly coloured Tajik robes, it said - 'Trample on our values' - President Emomali Rakhmon, who has ruled Tajikistan since 1992, passed a law in 2024 banning the "import and sale of foreign clothes and their wearing in public places" and called on Tajiks to respect "the wearing of national clothing". "In Tajikistan, women have always faced pressure on clothing choices," Farzona Saidzoda, co-author of the feminist initiative "Tell Me Sister", told AFP. "Under the Soviet Union, the hijab was not worn because it was considered alien to our culture in Central Asia." "But that is the same for more open and shorter clothing," she said. State media have criticised "so-called artists" who wear mini-skirts, "imitators" of American style, and women wearing the hijab. The fashion policy started after the victory of Rakhmon's ex-Communist forces against a coalition of democrats and Islamists in a civil war that killed tens of thousands of people in the 1990s. The authorities have since tried to strengthen a divided nation and eradicate Islam as a political force -- cracking down on any opposition. After decades of Soviet atheism, independence saw a return of religion in a society beset by poverty, with many Tajiks joining jihadist organisations in the Middle East and neighbouring Afghanistan. "The situation is worrying. Those who wear foreign clothes like the hijab think of themselves as different. They are nothing and trample on our values, undermine our identity," Rakhmon said. - De facto ban on beards - The authorities have accelerated a crackdown since four gunmen suspected to have come from Tajikistan carried out an attack claimed by the Islamic State group near Moscow last year, killing 145 people. Hijab wearers resent the association with radical Islam. "I have worn the hijab since I was nine years old. I have never had a problem until this year when I was asked to show my hair in a ministry and then at the market," said Dzhamila, a doctor. "Last spring, some of my friends were detained and received fines" for wearing hijabs, she told AFP. Authorities are counting on fashion designers to promote traditional garb. "We are creating modern dresses by using our rich cultural tradition for everyday use," Khurshed Sattorov said in his workshop. "For women who want to cover their hair, we have national textiles," he said. There is no similar advice for men, although beards are effectively banned and anyone with one risks being seen as a suspected Islamic extremist. The culture ministry said it was thinking of issuing a separate manual with a male dress code. bk/dt/cad/fox
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tajik women speak out against government fashion advice
Women in Tajikistan are being advised by the government to dress more "Tajik-style" and not wear either revealing Western clothes or Islamic head coverings -- supposedly to reinforce national identity. Some in the secular Muslim country are speaking out against the advice, including from President Emomali Rakhmon as well as in the form of a manual due to be issued by the government this year. The advice to be published in July will be based on "scientific and historical sources", Khurshed Nizomi, a culture ministry official, told AFP. The manual applies to women "of all ages" and will give tips on what to wear "at work, at home, at the theatre or during celebrations", he said. But Firuza Naimova, a pharmacist, questioned the need for government advice to women on clothing. "There are many economic and social problems -- a lack of electricity, the air quality, emigration" to Russia, she told AFP in Dushanbe, the poorest capital of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. "Why do they want to give lessons to women? They can choose their own clothes," Naimova said. A previous manual from the government in 2018 advised women to avoid revealing European clothing, mini-skirts, and low necklines, but also refrain from wearing black and head-covering hijabs. Instead, they should wear long and brightly coloured Tajik robes, it said - 'Trample on our values' - President Emomali Rakhmon, who has ruled Tajikistan since 1992, passed a law in 2024 banning the "import and sale of foreign clothes and their wearing in public places" and called on Tajiks to respect "the wearing of national clothing". "In Tajikistan, women have always faced pressure on clothing choices," Farzona Saidzoda, co-author of the feminist initiative "Tell Me Sister", told AFP. "Under the Soviet Union, the hijab was not worn because it was considered alien to our culture in Central Asia." "But that is the same for more open and shorter clothing," she said. State media have criticised "so-called artists" who wear mini-skirts, "imitators" of American style, and women wearing the hijab. The fashion policy started after the victory of Rakhmon's ex-Communist forces against a coalition of democrats and Islamists in a civil war that killed tens of thousands of people in the 1990s. The authorities have since tried to strengthen a divided nation and eradicate Islam as a political force -- cracking down on any opposition. After decades of Soviet atheism, independence saw a return of religion in a society beset by poverty, with many Tajiks joining jihadist organisations in the Middle East and neighbouring Afghanistan. "The situation is worrying. Those who wear foreign clothes like the hijab think of themselves as different. They are nothing and trample on our values, undermine our identity," Rakhmon said. - De facto ban on beards - The authorities have accelerated a crackdown since four gunmen suspected to have come from Tajikistan carried out an attack claimed by the Islamic State group near Moscow last year, killing 145 people. Hijab wearers resent the association with radical Islam. "I have worn the hijab since I was nine years old. I have never had a problem until this year when I was asked to show my hair in a ministry and then at the market," said Dzhamila, a doctor. "Last spring, some of my friends were detained and received fines" for wearing hijabs, she told AFP. Authorities are counting on fashion designers to promote traditional garb. "We are creating modern dresses by using our rich cultural tradition for everyday use," Khurshed Sattorov said in his workshop. "For women who want to cover their hair, we have national textiles," he said. There is no similar advice for men, although beards are effectively banned and anyone with one risks being seen as a suspected Islamic extremist. The culture ministry said it was thinking of issuing a separate manual with a male dress code. bk/dt/cad/fox
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Court in Tajikistan jails over 30 people for attempted mass poisoning linked to Islamic State offshoot
DUSHANBE (Reuters) - A court in Tajikistan has handed down prison sentences of between eight and 20 years to more than 30 people it convicted of trying to poison attendees of a festival last year, the prosecutor general's office said on Friday. A source in the Tajik security services told Reuters the convicted people were all tied to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan offshoot of Islamic State. Islamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for a mass shooting at a concert hall near Moscow last year which left 145 people dead. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Tajik prosecutors said the defendants had attempted to poison food served to attendees of a Nowruz, or New Year, festival last March in Vahdat, a small city east of the capital Dushanbe. Ten more people are wanted for the crime, the head of the department for combating terrorism and extremism in the attorney general's office, Jumanazar Sayidakhmadzoda, told reporters. He did not say exactly how many people had been sentenced. Tajikistan is a landlocked country of some 10 million people sandwiched between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. The majority of Tajiks are adherents of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam. Three militant attacks were carried out in the country in 2024 and two attacks were thwarted, the foreign minister said this week. Earlier this month, nine prisoners who had been convicted over links to Islamic State and the Jihadi Salafi movement assaulted guards at a prison in Vahdat in an escape attempt, leaving five inmates dead.
