QURGHON TEPPA, June 25, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Chairman of the Council of Ulamo (an Islamic council that issues fatwas and religious guidance to Islamic religious organizations in Tajikistan), Saidmukaram Abdulqodirzoda, is holding meetings with imam-khatibs in the southern Khatlon province.

Family upbringing, measures to prevent the spread of religious radicalism and illegal religious education are a major topic of these meetings.

During these meetings, Abdulqodirzoda is noting that Council of Ulamo, Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA) and Tajik Islamic Institute are developing an Islamic teaching program for children aged 7 and above.  The program will be coordinated with the Ministry of Education.

“The program provides for opening Islam teaching courses for children at all large mosques,” the Chairman of Ulamo head said during a meeting with imam-khatibs in Qurghon Teppa on June 24.