A planned visit by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill expected to have begun November 2 appears to have been obstructed by the Uzbek authorities, Forum 18 News Service reports. Some believe the Uzbek authorities were unhappy over the Moscow Patriarchate's decision in July to change its administration in Central Asia and appoint a new bishop to Tashkent without consulting with or gaining the approval of the Uzbek authorities. The Orthodox Diocese, now part of the Central Asian Metropolitan Region, has not yet been able to re-register under its new structure. However, an Orthodox priest in Uzbekistan has told Forum 18 that the Patriarch's visit may be rescheduled for November 23-25.
Meanwhile, fines and prosecutions of Protestants continue, and Uzbekistan continues to impose strict censorship on religious literature of all faiths sent to the country, Forum 18 reports.
Recently, 23 books sent to a Baptist church member in Tashkent were confiscated. Customs Inspector Dilshod Sadykov told Forum 18 that 80 to 90 per cent of all imported or posted religious literature confiscated is Muslim. Uzbeksitan's Post Office routinely opens parcels of religious books and magazines sent from abroad, sending examples to the Religious Affairs Committee to decide whether to destroy the literature or return it to the sender.
"I do not understand why normal religious books need to be confiscated or destroyed", a post office employee told Forum 18 on October 25. But, they continued, "we are small persons, and need to obey orders." Foreign web sites disliked by the authorities, including forum18.org, continue to be blocked.
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