Kyrgyzstan’s security services have closed 39 mosques and 21 Islamic schools in the southern Osh region, citing violations of the law on religious freedom, construction standards, hygiene, and fire safety.
The closures are part of a wide-ranging sweep of unauthorized religious institutions that began in June.
According to the State Committee for National Security, or GKNB, some of the mosques and madrasas were operating without proper registration, licenses, or qualified teachers. Some were also providing unsanctioned religious education to children who were not attending regular schools. The GKNB said that these factors could contribute to the spread of radicalism and extremism in the region.