DUSHANBE, December 8, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev yesterday held a meeting to discuss the issue of demolition of the illegally built places of worship in the city.

According to the press center of the Dushanbe mayor’s office, the mayor ordered heads of relevant municipal agencies to implement the order on the demolition of the illegally built mosques unquestioningly and improve work with the public on protection of national values.

The mayor also ordered to take operation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras under strict control in order to ensure public order in the city.

Speaking at the meeting, Ubaidulloyev reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the bad implementation of the law on traditions and rituals and ordered to set strict control over implementation of this law.

We will recall that the Dushanbe mayor signed a decision on demolition of all illegally built mosques that do not meet requirements of municipal engineering, fire safety, epidemiology and sanitation on November 7.

The decision also provides for considering the possibility of using buildings of illegally built mosques that meet requirements of sanitation, fire safety and municipal engineering as small production workshops, educational, medical and social facilities or centers for studying information technologies.

Most of buildings of mosques in Dushanbe are used by local people as community centers for all kind of social gatherings as well as for prayers.