DUSHANBE, November 29, 2008, Asia-Plus -- On Friday November 28, imam-khatib (preacher) of the Muhammadi Mosque in the Vahdat district, Ishon Nouriddinjon Turajonzoda, who is the elder brother of one of known Tajik religious leaders and member of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, was summoned for questioning to the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) in Dushanbe.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Ishon Nouriddidn said that over the past three years, he has been summoned to GKNB for questioning three times.

“They have accused me of criticizing the government policy,” said he, “During the questioning, I said that is not so.  I just try to put people to the straight and narrow; I have criticized prostitution and I condemn Muslims’ conversion to another religion.  Moreover, everything I say is for advancing moral improvement in society,” the imam-khatib said.

“In the meantime, persons like Murodullo Davlatov (director of the Center for Islamic Studies – Asia-Plus) interpreted the collected materials in their own way for making examination of my sermons and statements for the GKNB,” he said, noting that the GKNB authorities yesterday warned him against making antidemocratic calls in his sermons and statements.

“I assured the GKNB authorities that my speeches are not anti-government,” said Ishon Nouriddinjon, “I am supporter of policy conducted by Emomali Rahmon, I have respect to the president and I always make emphasis on this in my sermons and statements.”

He noted that his way is not anti-government and illegal and he would never turn off it.