DUSHANBE, August 13, Asia-Plus — As it had been reported earlier, to commission comprising representatives from the Council of Clerics (Shuroi Ulamo) today started examination of religious knowledge of imam-khatibs (mosque leaders) in Dushanbe. 

The process of examining religious knowledge of imam-khatibs started from Dushanbe’s Shohmansour district, where 21 mosques, including four Friday or main mosques (Masjidi Jome), now function.

The source at the Shohmansour district government said that examination is being held at one of the Friday mosques of the district.  The commission vetting imam-khatibs consists of seven members of the Council of Clerics, according to the source.  

All imams in the mosques of the Tajik capital have been ordered to take a special test of religious knowledge to prove their fitness for the job.

We will recall that the commission comprising representatives from the Council of Clerics (Shuroi Ulamo) started on official process of examining religious knowledge of imam-khatibs on August 11.

Saymuddin Homidzoda, the Executive Secretary of the Council of Clerics, said that a decision on this subject was made by the Council of Clerics on July 27.  

The executive secretary said that the main objective of the attestation to vet imam-khatibs for professionalism and examine their religious knowledge to prove their fitness for the job.  Homidzoda noted that any imam who would fail the exam could lose his post.  He added that such attestations would be held in other cities and regions of the country as well.