Additional Name(s): Eshoni Sirojiddin, Mullo Sirojiddin
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Ethnic Group: Tajik
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: November/12/2020
Date of Sentencing: February/12/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Hate Speech
Sirojiddin Abdurahmonov
Extra Bio Info:
Sirojiddin Abdurahmonov is imprisoned for his religious activity.
On November 12, 2020, authorities arrested Sirojiddin, an imam, following a raid on his apartment while he was teaching visitors about Islam.
On February 12, 2021, Sirojiddin was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for "participating in the activity of political parties, social or religious organizations, or other organizations, liquidated or banned by a court for extremist activity" (Art. 307-3-2 TCC). Prosecutors reportedly alleged in court that Sirojiddin was organizing Salafi Muslim activities.
Sirojiddin was previously imprisoned. He spent seven years in prison following a 2010 conviction for allegedly "inciting national, racial, local or religious hatred or dissension" (Art. 189-2 TCC).
Sources:
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USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Tajikistan in 2021 January 2022
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"Well-Known Tajik Islamic Cleric Abdurahmonov Reportedly Detained" Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
Nov 12, 2021
Malaysia has experienced unprecedented political instability in recent years. During this time, Malaysian authorities from various political parties in several states and the federal government have continued to pursue policies to further restrict religious freedom. Furthermore, while Malaysia’s dual justice system supposedly places the civil court above Shari’a law, it also devolves the ability to develop religious laws to each state and the Federal Territories. These laws are obligatory for Muslims, which results in legal restrictions to their religious practices.
USCIRF Policy Analyst Patrick Greenwalt joins us today to elaborate on how the freedom of religion or belief is being threatened in Malaysia, and ways that the U.S. government can help improve religious freedom conditions there.
Read USCIRF’s newest Country Update on Malaysia
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Nov 10, 2021
USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Malaysia
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in Malaysia:
Malaysia Country Update – This country update assesses religious freedom conditions in Malaysia during 2021. Malaysia has witnessed unprecedented political instability in recent years—starting on February 24, 2020, with the sudden collapse of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and then the collapse of the succeeding Perikatan Nasional coalition over a year later on August 16, 2021. During this time, Malaysian authorities from various political parties in several states and the federal government continued to pursue policies to further restrict religious freedom. The Muslim population, in particular, has faced restrictions to their religious practice—especially Malay-Muslims.
USCIRF has monitored religious freedom conditions in Malaysia since 2014. USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Malaysia on its Special Watch List (SWL) for ongoing and systematic violations of religious freedom for the first time in 2020, and again in its 2021 Annual Report. In October 2021, USCIRF released a factsheet which highlighted the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Malaysia.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].