DUSHANBE, January 28, 2013, Asia-plus  -- The Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA), which is the primary administrative body that oversees implementation of the Government’s religious policy, has supported an appeal by the Council of Ulamao (a group of scholars and imams that provides interpretations of religious practice) to media with solicitation not to publish unauthorized fatwas (a fatwa in the Islamic faith is a juristic ruling concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar).

On January 19, the Council of Ulamo released a statement recommending media refraining from publication of unauthorized fatwas.

“In Tajikistan, only the Council of Ulamo has the right to issue fatwas and our doors are open for all citizens of the country.  Members of the Council of Ulamo work across the country,” the statement said.

The statement, in particular, notes that any science has its own methods and rules and the Islamic faith is the complex and subtle science.  “Any misinterpretation of thought or word may lead to misunderstanding and even may lead people astray,” the statement said.