Tajik youth banned from mosques

DUSHANBE (AFP) - Tajikistan on Wednesday banned all children and teenagers from worshipping in mosques as the volatile Central Asian republic pressed ahead with its battle against rising Islamic fundamentalism. President Emomali Rakhmon signed the measure into law after it was unanimously adopted by the upper house of parliament last month, local news reports said. The law bans those under the age of 18 from praying in churches or mosques and requires them to study in secular schools, Aziya-Plus news agency said. The authorities said the change would help stem the spread of religious fundamentalism in the overwhelmingly Muslim but secular nation.

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