DUSHANBE, August 16, 2012, Asia-Plus – The Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) under the Government of Tajikistan has still failed to issue the list of approved sermon topics entitled “52 Friday Sermons” for imam-khatibs of Friday mosques.

We will recall that CRA officials announced in January last year that it is compiling a list of some 60 topics deemed suitable for sermons in cooperation with the Islamic Council.  The list was supposed to be distributed to imam-khatibs of Friday mosques across the country.

However, the list has not yet been issued.  The CRA deputy chairman Mavlon Mukhtorov told Asia-Plus today that the list is still at the stage of development.  According to him, a special commission, consisting of theologians and researchers, “is thoroughly considering the list of topics in order to cover all themes.”

Critics have condemned the decision to issue the list of sermon topics, noting that it is an attempt by the authorities to curtail imams’ influence and support among their followers, especially the young.

The CRA officials, however, noted that the idea consisted in helping promote Islamic values while at the same time lessening the threat of terrorism and extremism in society.  According to them, the list of sermon topics will focus mainly on virtues, such as respect for parents and kindness to neighbors.

Mosque sermons in Tajikistan are conducted once a week, before Friday Prayers, and usually last for an hour. The sermons have become hugely popular in Tajikistan in recent years, and attract thousands of people.  Some preachers have become so popular that people record their sermons, which make their way to wider audiences in the form of DVDs and CDs sold in the bazaars.