The regime of President Emomali Rahmon tightly controls nearly all aspects of religious life in Tajikistan. The government consistently uses arbitrary extremism charges against religious minorities, particularly targeting Muslims who deviate from the state’s preferred interpretation of Islam. Such disfavored communities include ethnic Pamiri Ismaili Shi’a Muslims and individuals accused of affiliating with banned religious groups.  

Religious freedom conditions in Sudan have improved significantly, although serious challenges remain. Within the first several months of assuming power, the transitional government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, has made concrete moves to improve religious freedom.

Religious freedom conditions in Saudi Arabia are particularly severe, as the government prohibits the public practice of any religion other than Islam and forbids all non-Muslim houses of worship. Judicial authorities penalize religious dissenters with arbitrary and egregiously long prison sentences, and they have executed hundreds of Shi’a Muslims for protesting religious freedom restrictions. State textbooks also continue to promote intolerance directed at different religious beliefs.