DUSHANBE, March 30, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Tajik police will carry out explanatory work among local women wearing alien clothing, the Interior Ministry’s website reports.

The First Deputy Interior Minister, Abdurahmon Alamshozoda, reportedly held a meeting on March 28 to discuss the implementation of president’s instructions and orders on preventing local women from following alien culture and traditions and wearing alien clothing.

The meeting participants included heads of police directorates and departments as well as other police subdivisions.    

Speaking at the meeting, Alamshozoda reportedly noted that there were cases of propagation of alien culture, traditions and clothing among female population in some districts of the country.    

He ordered chiefs of police directorates and departments to strengthen explanatory work among the population.

We will recall that hijab and other overt signs of religious observance are frowned on in Tajikistan.  Since 2005, education ministry regulations banning hijab from universities and schools have been in place.  Headscarves worn in the traditional Tajik manner – generally colorful and tied behind the head are deemed un-religious and are hence acceptable.