The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right [1] There are some restrictions, and the Government monitors the activities of religious institutions to keep them from becoming overtly political.[546] Religious communities must be registered by the Committee on Religious Affairs, which monitors the activities of Muslim groups[546] The official reason given to justify registration is to ensure that religious groups act in accordance with the law but in practice it ensures they do not become overly political.[546] President Imomali Rahmonov strongly defended "secularism", likely understood both by the President and his audience, as being "antireligious" rather than "nonreligious."[546] The vast majority of citizens, including members of the Government, consider themselves Muslims and are not anti-Islamic but there is a pervasive fear of Islamic fundamentalism in both the government and much of the population at large.[546] A 1998 law prohibits the creation of political parties with a religious orientation.[546] A November 2015 rule reportedly bans Government Employees from attending Friday Prayers.[547][548] The Friday "Government Employee Prayer ban" appears to relate to leaving work during normal working hours to attend prayers.