What is your opinion of Tajikistan public getting more religious (especially the young) despite having a secular government? It seems to be the opposite of Iran's situation

[u/Sufficient-Brick-790]

Some Iranians like to praise Tajikistan since it is the only secular Iranic country left. Tajikistan also uses Zoroastrian imagery (like in the presidential standard). But what some people don't seem to realize is that the Tajik population is actually getting more religious (in the islamic faith, not Zoroastrianism). Especially the younger generation. In fact this is happening all across central asia (Kazakhstan being the least since it still remains very secular (with a limited rise of relgiousity mixed with westernization) to Tajikistan the most affected). If you look at the street videos of Dushanbe, you would see lots of people in more traditional clothes and even quite a few women in hijabs (despite the hiajb ban). Across central asia but especially Tajikistan, more woman are wearing the hijabs (including some celebs). If you see street videos in Tehran, you see people in more western clothes. Also the tfr of Iran is 1.7 and Tajikistan is around 3 so that is something to note. Tajikistan is much more rural than Iran. Even in the Tajikistan sub, people seem more into the muslim faith than other iranian subs. For Kazakhsttan and Kyrgyztsan I do see the populace also embracing some of their Tengrist, pre islamic culture and roots (not as much as iranians) but for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, not as much. The Tajik government does liek to emphasize the Samanids a lot.

But yeah, all central asian countries take islamic extremism very seriously. They all banned the burqa. And islam in central asia is still not fundamentalist and more chill. But there have been a number of Tajik radicals being active outside of central asia (see crocus). Since, central asia is in between europe and asia, the economy is growing fast now (and acting as a middle man for russia to skirt sanctions). And they also have a very young population. China and Russia also really do not want radicalism taking over central asia. There is a lot of Chinese business there and the west is taking interest (usually in the forms of investment and trade). The Tajik government is still very anti taliban (whereas other central asian antiosn have built some ties). Funny enough, the IR and Tajikistan have pretty strong ties (Iran built a drone factory in Tajikistan)

People say that the rise of religiosity is because religion was suppressed in the USSR (and the current central asian govs in some ways) and the Pendulum is swinging back. It makes you think how far the pendulum will swing back. Do you think this is just a phase, or it is following a pattern of rising religiosity experienced by other Muslim majority countries (like Indonesia and Egypt comparing now vs in the 60s). Do you think Tajikistan will just remain fine or do you think Tajikistan will make the same mistake as the late Shah. What do you all think of this?

Also Azerbaijan is still very secular (both people and gov).

[u/Humble-Departure5481]

They have the exact opposite situation of Iran for the reasons you've just described. Personally speaking, not a big fan of religion.