Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan

political party, Tajikistan

Also known as: IRPT

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

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The Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) was once the only legal Islamist party in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. It was a significant opposition group that was entitled to a percentage of government posts following a 1997 peace agreement. However, the party was banned in September 2015 and labeled an extremist organization. This action, along with other constitutional changes, has strengthened President Rahmon's grip on power and further sidelined opposition parties. Constitutional amendments in 2016 banned all parties based on religion, creating an additional hurdle for opposition groups.12

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Tajikistan
Centralization and opposition sidelined
He accused the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT)—which under the peace agreement was one of the opposition groups entitled to a percentage of government posts—of extremism and began dismissing members of the party from their official positions. The party itself, however, remained legal in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Rahmonov…
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He accused the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT)—which under the peace agreement was one of the opposition groups entitled to a percentage of government posts—of extremism and began dismissing members of the party from their official positions. The party itself, however, remained legal in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Rahmonov…
Read More