Tajik government pays salaries to Imams for first time
In an unprecedented move, the secular government of Tajikistan - a central Asian country with a majority Muslim population - has started paying salaries and pensions to Imams in its major mosques.
Some observers see it as an attempt by Tajik authorities to stem the growth of Islamic extremism in the country.
Roja Assadi reports.
Video produced by BBC Persian's Sohrab Zia
17 Mar 2014