DUSHANBE, April 2, 2009, Asia-Plus /-- Tajikistan’s new law on religion and religious associations has come into effect as it was published in government’s official newspaper Jumhuriyat today.

Under the new religion law, only one central jome’ (congregational) mosque may be registered in the territory of cities and districts.

One congregational or so-called Friday mosque (facility for Friday prayers) is authorized per 10,000 to 20,000 residents in a given geographic area.  In Dushanbe, one such mosque is authorized per 30,000 to 50,000 residents

Mosque for five-fold prayers is authorized in settlements with population from 100 to 1,000 and in Dushanbe, one such mosque is authorized per 1,000 to 2,500 residents.

Besides, the new religion law provides for appointment of imam-khatibs of mosques with the concurrence of the authorized public agency.