Kyrgyzstan: Will this Islamic political party be allowed?

An article published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on 2 February 2021 focuses on Kyrgyz journalist turned politician Myktybek Arstanbek - who is known for promoting Islamic values on social media and in public statements. Arstanbek insists that his newly established "Noor" party (which means "light" in Arabic) has no religious agenda. Nevertheless, the new party plans to call for public debate on the introduction of Sharia law, and Arstanbeck caused a stir recently by suggesting that the predominantly Muslim country should drop the phrase "secular state" from its constitution. Rolf Zeegers, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "Many Kyrgyz remain unconvinced about the claimed unreligious nature of Arstanbek's party. However, the Noor party would not be the first political party in Central Asia to be based on Islamic principles. Tajikistan also had such a party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). However, the Tajik Justice Ministry revoked the IRPT's registration in August 2015 and within one month the party was declared an extremist organization (RFE/RL, 25 February 2020)." Rolf Zeegers continues: "It is not sure yet whether the Noor party will be accepted and registered by the Kyrgyz authorities, since Kyrgyzstan's constitution explicitly bans political parties being formed on the "˜basis or religion" or the "˜pursuit of political goals through religious associations". Should the party be allowed, it is too early to say what the consequences for Christians in Kyrgyzstan might be. The existence of the IRPT in Tajikistan hardly had any negative consequences for Christians in that country and perhaps it will be similar for the Noor party in Kyrgyzstan."