Additional Name(s): Ихтиёрхӯҷа Камолов

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Tajikistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Date of Detainment: April/4/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Managing a Religious Institution Religious Activity Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems

Nature of Charges: Extremism

Ikhtiyorhoja Kamolov

Extra Bio Info:

Ikhtiyorhoja Kamolov is detained for his independent religious activities. 

On April 4, 2024, during Ramadan, authorities in Sughd region arrested Ikhtiyorhoja Kamolov, the imam of Khoja Muhammad Balodurkun mosque in the village of Rumon, for allowing minors to attend mosque and allegedly adhering to and spreading Salafism. Kamolov was reportedly charged with extremism. 

Related Cases: Bakhtiyor Akbarov, Mirzoburhan Salmanzoda

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May 01

WHEN:

May 1st 10:00am

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

2024 Annual Report: Key Findings and Recommendations
25 Years of IRFA

Wednesday, May 1, 2024
10:00-11:00 am ET

Virtual

Watch Online

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual event on the 2024 Annual Report. This year’s report commemorates the 25th anniversary of the enactment of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

The 2024 Annual Report documents systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom that have occurred in the last year and provides recommendations to the U.S. government intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief abroad. It also highlights important global developments and trends related to religious freedom during 2023, including in countries that do not meet the criteria of a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) or Special Watch List (SWL).

Remarks

  • Abraham Cooper, Chair, USCIRF
  • Frederick A. Davie, Vice Chair, USCIRF
  • David Curry, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Susie Gelman, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Mohamed Magid, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Stephen Schneck, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Nury Turkel, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Eric Ueland, Commissioner, USCIRF
  • Frank Wolf, Commissioner, USCIRF

Written Remarks

This event is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or interview requests, please contact [email protected]

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Date of Detainment: November/30/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Unregistered Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud

Ding Zhongfu

Extra Bio Info:

Ding Zhongfu is detained for his religious leadership role.

On November 30, 2023, law enforcement authorities in Hefei city, Anhui province, arrested Ding, an elder of the unregistered house church Ganquan Church, after raiding the homes of several church members. Ding was charged with “fraud”—a spurious charge Chinese authorities frequently use to target house church Protestants—reportedly tied to the church's collection of tithes and donations. 

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