Banned Hizb ut-Tahrir Holds Festivities In Kyrgyzstan

(RFE/RL) Prague, 10 January 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Members of an outlawed Islamic movement today distributed free meals and toys in southern Kyrgyzstan at the start of the Eid al-Adha festival, or Feast of the Sacrifice.

Police attempted to break up the gathering organized by Hizb ut-Tahrir in the city of Osh, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service reports.

However, the police's move angered people attending the event, who demanded the police stop interfering in what they argued was a peaceful event to devoted to an Islamic holiday.

After some negotiations, the celebration was permitted to go ahead.

Southern Kyrgyzstan is home to many followers of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The movement is banned in all Central Asian republics. Hizb ut-Tahrir professes to advocate political change through peaceful means only.