Kyrgyzstan intensifies regulation of religious education
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — In a move reminiscent of its Soviet past, Kyrgyzstan is set to implement new regulations that tighten state control over religious education and the distribution of religious materials. The State Commission for Religious Affairs has drafted a proposal outlining procedures for state religious studies examinations and the management of religious content. This draft has been submitted for public discussion.
These measures follow the enactment of the updated Law on Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations, which came into force on February 1, 2025. While the law purports to uphold religious freedom, it introduces stringent controls that affect the country’s majority Muslim population.
Under the proposed regulations, citizens intending to pursue religious education abroad must notify the State Commission for Religious Affairs in writing at least 14 days prior to departure. Additionally, they are required to register with Kyrgyz diplomatic missions upon arrival in their country of study. The government also plans to establish a database of approved foreign religious educational institutions, effectively limiting the options available for those seeking religious studies overseas.
Furthermore, the commission will compile a list of religious literature and items prohibited from import into Kyrgyzstan, thereby exerting control over the dissemination of religious materials within the country.
These developments reflect a continuation of Soviet-era secular policies, where the state maintained strict oversight over religious practices. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, the increasing regulations suggest a governmental intent to control religious expression, particularly affecting the predominantly Muslim population, which constitutes approximately 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s populace.
While authorities assert that individuals cannot be compelled to practice or renounce religion, the implementation of these regulations raises concerns about the extent of religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan and the potential impact on the religious life of its citizens.
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