Regional
CAIR condemns Tajikistan’s ‘draconian’ ban on women’s hijab
America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has condemned Tajikistan’s new legislation that seeks to prohibit the wearing of Islamic headscarves like the hijab.
CAIR’s Research and Advocacy Director, Corey Saylor, expressed concern over the implications of such a law, denouncing it in a statement on Friday as a severe violation of religious liberties, TRT WORLD reported.
“Banning the hijab is a violation of religious freedom and such bans on religious attire should have no place in any nation that respects the rights of its people,” stated Saylor, underscoring the organization’s unwavering commitment to defending the rights of Muslims both domestically and internationally.
“We condemn this draconian, repressive law and urge the Tajik government to reverse this decision” the statement said.
The hijab covers the hair and body and is a religious commandment of world’s fastest growing and second biggest religion, followed by many Muslim women worldwide.
As per media reports, under the newly enacted legislation, individuals wearing hijabs or other prohibited religious attire in Tajikistan could be fined up to 7,920 somonis (approximately $700). Companies permitting employees to wear banned garments face penalties of 39,500 somonis ($3,500). Government officials are subject to even higher fines ranging from 54,000 to 57,600 somonis ($4,800 to $5,100) if found violating the restrictive law.
Out of Tajikistan’s population of approximately 10 million people, according to research by the Pew Research Group, 98 percent identify as Muslim.
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Geo News reported.
He was received by Prime Minister Sharif and senior officials, with his aircraft escorted by Pakistan Air Force jets upon entering Pakistani airspace. The UAE president is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the visit aims to review bilateral relations and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has signaled that the country will continue developing missiles over the next five years, following visits to major munitions enterprises in the last quarter of 2025, state media KCNA reported on Friday.
Kim said the country’s missile and shell production sector is “of paramount importance in bolstering war deterrence,” according to KCNA.
The report said Kim ratified draft documents on the modernization of key munitions enterprises, which will be submitted to a major ruling party congress expected to be held in early 2026. The congress is set to outline North Korea’s development plan for the next five years.
KCNA’s report follows Thursday’s disclosure that Kim oversaw the construction of an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine alongside his daughter, widely seen as a potential successor, as well as the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Turkish authorities have detained 115 suspected Daesh members they said were planning to carry out attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office said on Thursday.
Istanbul Police obtained information that Daesh members had planned attacks in Turkey, against non-Muslims in particular, during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the prosecutor’s office posted on X, Reuters reported.
The police raided 124 places in Istanbul, capturing 115 of the 137 suspects they were seeking, the statement said. Several pistols and ammunition were seized, it said.
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