DUSHANBE, April 21, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Minister of Culture Mirzoshorukh Asrori denied information that the Ministry of Culture (MoC) has allegedly organized “attestations” of imams in mosques as unfounded.

No attestations of imams, quizzing them on their knowledge of Islamic principles have been organized by the ministry, Asrori announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 21.

He noted that the process of registration of religious organizations is currently going on in the country and “nothing more.”

According to the MoC data, Tajikistan now has 2,971 registered mosques for daily prayers and 258 Friday prayer mosques (larger facilities built for weekly Friday prayers).  19 registered religious educational facilities and 72 non-Muslim religious organizations now function in the country.