Tajikistan Tightens Restrictions on Fortune Telling and Faith Healing Amid Challenges
Tajikistan Cracks Down on Fortune Tellers and Faith Healers
Sevara, a nursery-school teacher in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, recently separated from her husband due to arguments over his job stability. Desperate for answers, she turned to a fortune teller who claimed that a hex had been placed on their marriage. However, Sevara’s visits to the soothsayer were cut short when police warned the fortune teller to stop seeing clients.
This crackdown on fortune tellers and faith healers is part of a larger government initiative in Tajikistan. President Emomali Rahmon announced the detention of 1,500 individuals involved in “witchcraft and fortune telling,” as well as over 5,000 “semiliterate mullahs,” in a move to curb these centuries-old practices.
Law enforcement agencies have been actively targeting practitioners, with more than 150 fortune tellers detained in August alone. The police have taken measures to register these individuals and their clients, monitoring their activities closely.
In June, Tajikistan implemented stricter penalties for fortune-telling offenses, with repeat offenders facing criminal charges and hefty fines. The practice of fortune-telling goes against Islamic teachings, which the majority of Tajikistan’s population follows.
However, the line between fortune-telling and faith healing is often blurred in Tajikistan. Many practitioners offer remedies based on traditional and religious beliefs, attracting clients seeking solutions to various problems. Despite the ban on these practices, fortune tellers continue to operate, charging anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds for their services.
While some applaud the government’s efforts to crack down on superstition, others criticize the authorities for prioritizing this issue over more pressing concerns like unemployment and inflation. Ordinary citizens feel that the focus should be on improving their quality of life rather than targeting fortune tellers.
As the government continues its campaign against fortune tellers and faith healers, the debate over the role of superstition in Tajik society remains ongoing.
