CAIRO — After decades of suppression under the Soviet rule, Muslims are proudly showing off their faith in Tajikistan, a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia.
"We're Muslims," proud Marhabo, a 25-year-old mother of three, told The New York Times on Sunday, January 4.
"Now there's no limiting. Before, there were no mosques. Now there are many."
Akbar, a young man in his 30s, recalls being chased by Soviet police after they caught him praying.
The incident was ridiculed by his teacher.
"Everyone was looking at me," said Akbar, adding this left him with a distinct dislike for school.
"I felt like a criminal."
Muslims constitute nearly 90 percent of Tajikistan’s 7.2 million population, according to the CIA factbook.
But under the Soviet rule, any sign of religion such as hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, or performing prayers was punishable.
Tajikistan is one of the five Central Asian countries of the ex-Soviet Union which won independence in 1991.
New Reality
A revival of Islam began almost immediately after independence.
The number of people who performed hajj this year hit a new record of 5200, 10 times the number in 2000.
They were welcomed at the airport with candies thrown by jubilant families and friends.
Mosques and religious schools have become part of the new reality in Muslim-majority Tajikistan.
Bearded men in robes and women in colorful scarves are a common sight across the country.
Madinah, the name of a holy city in Saudi Arabia, is now widespread among Muslim girls.
Tajikistan is the only ex-Soviet state in Central Asia to have a legal Islamic political party.
Despite the new religiosity many practicing Muslims still celebrate New Year, a holiday celebrated in Soviet times with a decorated tree and presents.
"It's not a Muslim holiday, but we like it," said Marhabo, as her young daughter recited poetry she had learned in school for the occasion.