KULOB, December 17, 2013, Asia-Plus -- 130 imam-khatibs (leaders of congregational prayer in mosque) in the southern Khatlon province are expected to receive wages beginning on January 1.

“Official salaries are set for imam-khatibs of 18 central and 112 Friday mosques functioning in the province,” Sharif Abdulhomidov, the head of the Kulob department on religious affairs, told Asia-Plus in an interview.

The first consignment of uniform dress for imam-khatibs has already been made ready, Abdulhomidov added.  According to him, the uniform dresses were sewn at one of clothing factories in Dushanbe.

1,720 mosques and worship houses now function in Khatlon.

We will recall that President Rahmon met with clerics in Dushanbe on July 4.  Speaking at the meeting, Emomali Rahmon noted that he had ordered to set official salaries for imam-khatibs.  He also offered to design dress code for clerics.