Uzbekistan: Mel Gibson is PNG'd in Karakalpakstan

The regional government of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region in western Uzbekistan, has banned Christian texts, including the Bible, as well as Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ film.

The order comes directly from the top religious affairs official for the region, Nurulla Zhamlov, following his "expert analysis," the Forum 18 news service reports.

According to Forum 18, the Bible, hymn books, bible dictionaries and Mel Gibson's epic are "banned for import, distribution or use in teaching on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan."

The 2004 film has been shown in cinemas in Tashkent. Officials in Karakalpakstan have a reputation for restricting religious expression and for tolerating only "state-controlled Islam," Forum 18 adds.