TURKMENISTAN'S MUFTI REPLACED; IMAMS RESHUFFLED

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001232 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PGOV SOCI TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S MUFTI REPLACED; IMAMS RESHUFFLED ¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) On September 26, Turkmenistan's Mufti since 2004, Rowshen Allaberdiyev, was relieved of his positions as the nation's Mufti and as the Chief Imam of the largest mosque in Turkmenistan, following a resolution by the Council of Turkmenistan's Muftiyet. The mosque was the Holy Mosque of Turkmenbashy in Gypjak village, Ruhabat district, Ahal province, the principal shrine to the former president located not far from Ashgabat. The demotion was due to his reassignment to another post: Head of the Council on Religious Affairs (CRA) in Dashoguz Province and Chief Imam of Dashoguz Province. The reason for Allaberdiyev's demotion is unknown. The Council of the Muftiyet also named the Head of the Lebap Provincial CRA and Chief Imam of Lebap Province Hayitliyev to take over Allaberdiyev's former positions. (NOTE: Hayitliey's biographic information is not available. END NOTE.) ¶3. (SBU) Allaberdiyev's demotion and reassignament was part of a broader reshuffling within Turkmenistan's official Islamic hierarchy. As noted above, Allaberdiyev was sent to northern Dashoguz Province. The following appointments were also made: Akyev was appointed to the posts of the Head of the Council on Religious Affairs and Chief Imam of Balkan Province; Hojagulyev was appointed to the posts of the Head of the Council on Religious Affairs and Chief Imam of Lebap Province; Muhammedov was appointed to the posts of the Head of the Council on Religious Affairs and Chief Imam of Mary Province; and Hojayev was appointed to the posts of the Head of the Council on Religious Affairs and Chief Imam of Ashgabat. ¶4. (SBU) Allaberdiyev occupied the position of Mufti of Turkmenistan since August 24, 2004 and was appointed Imam of Gypjak Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia, since October 21, 2004. At the time of appointment, Allaberdiyev, born in 1977, was the youngest ever Mufti of Turkmenistan. He graduated from the Theology Faculty of Turkmen State University in 1999 and is a supporter of moderate Islam. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: The announcement of Allaberdiyev's replacement was unexpected news. Since we lack details about the rules by which the Muftiyet is governed, it is not possible to know whether Allaberdiyev was removed because his term as Mufti expired, or whether he fell into disfavor with President Berdimuhamedov. The latter is less likely given that both are natives of the same village - Babarap. Allaberdiyev attended post's Iftar on September 10, and we have seen him at a number of occasions since. He seemed perfectly normal and gave no hint of an impending change. Perhaps with Allaberdiyev having served as Mufti for five years, the Muftiyet was simply ripe for a personnel reshuffle, a practice that is common in other branches of Turkmenistan's official hierarchy. END COMMENT. CURRAN