Kyrgyzstan: Top Muslim cleric accused of corruption

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty published a number of articles on 10-12 February 2021 about the top Muslim cleric , Grand Mufti Maksatbek Hajji Toktomushev, who resigned on 10 February 2021 and was later arrested for the alleged misuse of funds raised for a hajj pilgrimage to Mecca later this year. Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, says that corruption is widespread in Kyrgyzstan and throughout the rest of Central Asia: "It affects everybody and if you want to get something done, you basically need to pay a bribe. What is of particular importance here is that the Grand Mufti is also the head of Kyrgyzstan's Religious Directorate, the state agency in charge of Islamic affairs. If the Kyrgyz government has no hesitancy in targeting the leader of the largest religious community in their country, it is clear that Christians cannot expect better treatment. Fortunately, none of the Christian community have been involved in corruption cases so far."