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In Kyrgyzstan, the rules have been clarified for citizens who systematically conduct religious preaching on the Internet. Such authors need to undergo state registration and obtain a religious preacher's certificate for a term of up to one year. This was announced by Nurgazy Kyrgyzbaev, Chief Specialist of the National Agency for Religious Affairs and Interethnic Relations.
At the same time, the requirement does not apply to every user who posts a message or comment on a religious topic. The National Agency separately explained that single publications and discussions on religious themes do not require registration per se. This specifically concerns systematic preaching activity and calls to religion.
Such a procedure is established by the law "On Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations." Under this law, a religious preacher is considered to be a citizen who spreads religious teachings, including through the media and the Internet, with the consent of the relevant central body of their religious organization.
To undergo registration, one must have a specialized secondary or higher religious education. The applicant must submit a passport, a diploma, a completed questionnaire, and a letter of consent from the relevant central governing body of the religious organization.
After this, the National Agency issues the state registration for a period of no more than one year. At the end of this period, it can be extended; however, the agency will first check whether the preacher has violated the legislation. If violations are identified during the year, the extension of the registration may be denied.
Religious content on social networks is already being monitored by a special research center under the National Agency, which regularly analyzes publications and, if necessary, forwards information to the competent authorities.
Initial reports about the new rules raised questions due to a statement regarding the need to apply specifically to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan. However, the current law is worded more broadly: consent must be issued by the central governing body of the relevant religious organization.
This is also confirmed by the National Agency's electronic registration form, in which the applicant needs to specify their religion and faith. Thus, the procedure is formally provided not only for Muslims, but also for representatives of other confessions.
The main stated goal of the mechanism is to control preaching activity specifically and to restrict the spread of false religious information or content that violates the legislation on the Internet.