The Committee for the Regulation of Religion, Traditions, and Rituals of Tajikistan approved a new procedure for conducting the religious ceremony of duokhonlik. According to it, only authorized religious servants can now conduct such ceremonies. The committee announced this in a written response to an inquiry from Asia-Plus.
It was noted that the relevant order of the committee chairman was signed on June 3. The document defines the rules for conducting duokhonlik and the circle of persons authorized to perform such a ceremony.
Under the new procedure, the following religious servants may conduct the duokhonlik ceremony:
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members of the Council of Ulema;
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senior imam-khatibs — imams of central congregational mosques;
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imam-khatibs of congregational mosques;
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imams of mosques where the five daily prayers are held;
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deputies of imam-khatibs and imams;
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muezzins authorized by the relevant religious organization to conduct worship and religious ceremonies.
According to the committee, religious servants have the right to provide assistance to citizens who have applied to satisfy their religious needs, including through reading prayers in accordance with Sharia.
At the same time, religious servants are obliged to comply with sanitary and epidemiological norms, familiarize themselves with the established procedure, not prevent citizens from seeking medical assistance, and conduct ceremonies only within the framework of Tajikistan's legislation.
The new procedure also includes a number of restrictions. In particular, religious servants are prohibited from reading prayers for women and children without their mahrams — close relatives whose participation is stipulated by religious norms.
Also, the following are not allowed:
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use of services related to sorcery, witchcraft, and fortune-telling;
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committing immoral acts;
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video recording the ceremony and distributing the recordings in mass media or on the internet;
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conducting mass duokhonlik ceremonies.
To engage in such activity, religious servants may obtain the relevant certificate from the authorized body — the Committee for the Regulation of Religion, Traditions, and Rituals.
Committee representatives stated that this decision was linked to an increase in citizens turning to fortune-tellers, sorcerers, and unofficial mullahs. According to the agency, unless an official opportunity to receive religious assistance is created, people will continue to turn to individuals who are not under state control.
This could complicate oversight and increase risks associated with violations, including sorcery, witchcraft, and other immoral acts.
Asia-Plus cited the committee's position. According to it, the new procedure should allow citizens to satisfy their religious needs "in the way of Sharia" — not through fraudsters and sorcerers, but with the help of authorized religious figures.
Let us recall that in recent years Tajikistan's law enforcement agencies have been conducting a campaign against fortune-tellers, sorcerers, and "unofficial mullahs." Measures are being taken not only against those engaged in this activity, but in some cases also against their clients.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, by the beginning of 2026 nearly 5,000 fortune-tellers, sorcerers, and "unofficial mullahs" had been identified and registered in the country.
Alongside the tightening of punishment for turning to fortune-tellers and sorcerers, according to local sources, some citizens of Tajikistan have begun to use similar services in neighboring countries.
In 2024, amendments were introduced to Tajikistan's Code of Administrative Responsibility providing for liability for engaging in fortune-telling and sorcery. This may result in a fine of up to 4,500 somoni or administrative arrest for up to 15 days.
If such an offense is committed repeatedly within a year, a criminal case may be initiated. In that case, the maximum punishment is up to two years' imprisonment.
