An employee of the Office of the Service of Execution under the Government of Tajikistan in the northern city of Panjakent has been detained for organizing treat meal for 100 people after returning from the Umrah, says the press center of the Agency for State Finance Control and Combating Corruption under the President of Tajikistan.

 The is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims.  It can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to the Ḥajj, which has specific dates according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

“Murodillozoda has violated the country’s law on observing national traditions and rituals hosting a multi-course meal for100 people.  This is a window dressing and wasteful,” the anticorruption agency says.    

Administrative proceedings have been instituted against Murodillozoda under the provisions of Article 481  of Tajikistan’s Code pf Administrative Offences – violation of the procedure established by law for the regulation of rituals, celebrations and events. 

This article stipulates that of the procedure established by law for the regulation of rituals, celebrations and events is punishable by a fine equal to 100-120 calculating indicators for physical entities and 500-520 calculating indicators for legal entities (current calculating indictors is equal 72.00 somonis).  

Recall, President Emomali Rahmon signed the law on streamlining the traditions, celebrations and ceremonies in Tajikistan on 2007, justifying it “by protecting the true values ​​of national culture, respect for folk customs and improving the social and economic standard of living of citizens.”  The Law on Observing National Traditions and Rituals regulates private celebrations and funeral services, including weddings, funerals, and Mavludi Payghambar (the birthday of the Prophet).  The stated intent of the law was to protect the public from spending excessive amounts of money on celebrations. The law limited number of guests, eliminated engagement parties, and controlled ceremonial gift presentations and other rituals.