Tashkent (AsiaNews/F18) – Officials in Karakalpakstan (north-western Uzbekistan) announced that religious materials that include a hymn book, a Bible Encyclopaedia, a Bible dictionary, and a children's Bible, are “banned for import, distribution or use in teaching.”
Uzbekistan’s secret police has been after religious literature for quite some time, whether in private homes or just for personal use.
Nurulla Zhamolov, the senior religious affairs official in Karakalpakstan Region, issued the ban after “expert analyses" were filed at a court hearing, the Forum 18 agency reported. But no explanation was given for the decision.
Mel Gibson’s 2004 ‘The Passion of the Christ’ was also included in the list of banned materials, a decision especially odd since the feature film was shown throughout the country attracting large crowds.
Karakalpakstan covers a third of Uzbek territory but is home to only 5 per cent of the population. Only Islam is allowed in the region; only exception is Russian Orthodoxy which is allowed in the regional capital of Nukus.
All other religious groups are outlawed. Even religious gatherings in private homes are not allowed without prior authorisation. If caught, violators can be fined or even jailed.
On 16 April, a court in Takhiatash fined a Protestant, Valeri Adamia, 560,800 Sums (US$ 380), which is twenty times the minimum monthly wage, after he was convicted of having in his possession Bibles and other religious books. He claimed that they were for his personal use only.
