KULOB, December 18, 2013, Asia-Plus -- 10 new mosques have opened in the Kulob region of Khatlon province this year, bringing the total number of mosques in the area to 569, including seven central mosques and 51 Friday mosques (facilities built for weekly Friday prayers), Sharif Abdulhomidov, the head of the Kulob department on religious affairs, told Asia-Plus today morning.

Abdulhomidov noted that the main problem was to provide mosques with well-educated imams.  “Thus, eight imam-khatibs failed to pass test of religious knowledge to prove their fitness for the job,” he noted.

Abdulhomidov also said that they have suspended teaching at the madrasah in the Khovaling district this year and 178 students have been dismissed.    “The madrasah was closed down for failing to provide requisite religious education and because its technical documentation does not comply with the country’s legislation,” he added.

By the way, local authorities have suspended teaching at two madrasahs in Qurghon Teppa, the capital of Khatlon province this year for same reasons.

It means that local authorities have suspended the operation of all three madrasahs in Khatlon province.