DUSHANBE, July 21, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The Culture Minister, Mirzoshorukh Asrori, told a press conference on July 21 that only authorized clerics should conduct public preaching in the country. 

He claims that present public sermons conducted by clerics are illegal. 

“The department for religious affairs (DRA) within the Ministry of Culture (MoC) is currently considering the issue of granting an official authorization for conducting public sermon,” the minister said. 

Speaking to reporters, Saidbek Mahmadulloyev, an official with the DRA, said that the DRA is working out an appropriate project, providing for  coordination of conducting public sermons with the country’s Islamic Center.  “Clerics should submit their planned sermons in written form for consideration and endorsement to the Islamic Center in advance,” the DRA official said.  

Besides, under the mentioned project, distribution of all Islamic literature in the country should be coordinated with relevant official bodies, Mahmadulloyev said.