Pakistan's recent slide toward political instability could have important repercussions for Central Asian states. One of Pakistan's most fervent Islamic groups, Tablighi Jamaat, also happens to be among the most active in proselytizing in Central Asia.
Draft legislation pending in parliament would roll back religious freedom in Tajikistan. In its present form, the legislation would effectively institute limits on the number of mosques allowed to function in the country, and would make it virtually impossible for most religious denominations to gain official registration.
As Forum 18 News Service earlier reported, on August 13 its Central Asia Correspondent, Igor Rotar, was officially and unjustifiably - deported from Uzbekistan.
Over the past half-year, the Uzbek authorities have brought at least three court cases against Uzbek members of the Tabligh Jamaat movement. The nature of the group lies in the name, literally a "society disseminating the faith." That faith is Islam.
