DUSHANBE, August 10, 2013, Asia-Plus – An independent Tajik-language television station has been launched in the Russia Federation.

With support from Tajik businesspeople living and working in Russia the TV station Safo became the first independent Tajik-language TV station in the Russian Federation.  It went on the air on August 8 at 8:00 pm Moscow time.  At first Safo ran news bulletin in Tajik and an hour later it ran news bulletin in Russian.

Safo’s Russian programs editor, Temur Varqi, says the TV station Safo is broadcast on Hotbird 11585/27500 satellite.

Moscow grand mufti was the first to speak and congratulate the TV station.  He was followed by known Russian public figure also founder and chairman of the Islamic Committee of Russia Geydar Jemal and known Russian journalist Maxim Shevchenko.

Leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRP) Muhiddin Kabiri, a representative of the Tajik authorities and known Tajik religious figure Mahmoudjon Turajonzoda also congratulated the Safo TV station.

According to Varqi, Safo will provide round-the-clock broadcasts.  It will broadcast programs about Tajikistan, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran.