By M. Zuhdi Jasser
At first glance, Tajikistan seems to have all the makings of a “moderate” Muslim nation. The vast majority of Muslims in this former Soviet bloc nation are of the Sunni Muslim Hanafi school, who seem to openly reject Salafism and Wahhabism. Their rejection of the extremist, militant, and exclusivist ideologies of Salafism and Wahhabism is refreshing. However, they have gone beyond simply rejecting the ideas of Salafism and have now gone so far as to outlaw its existence. Joseph K. Grieboski, of the Institute on Religion and Foreign Policy recently stated,
At first glance, Tajikistan seems to have all the makings of a “moderate” Muslim nation. The vast majority of Muslims in this former Soviet bloc nation are of the Sunni Muslim Hanafi school, who seem to openly reject Salafism and Wahhabism. Their rejection of the extremist, militant, and exclusivist ideologies of Salafism and Wahhabism is refreshing. However, they have gone beyond simply rejecting the ideas of Salafism and have now gone so far as to outlaw its existence. Joseph K. Grieboski, of the Institute on Religion and Foreign Policy recently stated,
"While we sympathize with the Tajik government in its efforts to fight terrorism, banning an entire religious community is not the right answer. Banning Salafism will only send potential extremists underground and engender further hostility to the government. Banning individual religious communities sets a dangerous precedent both for Tajikistan and the region as a whole."Banning the Salafi Movement – Does the ends justify the means? Read more ...
Source: Family Security Matters
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