insight

I don't think until you have been here you can really understand what it is like. But I was reading something by Rick Steeves this morning about Iran and Tajikistan is similar to Iran in that it lacks basic freedoms like freedom of speech and here in Northern Tajikistan traditional muslim values pervade like in Iran. But Tajikistan also has this Russian aspect to it. The education system is all based on the old Soviet one. Plus Russian media, in the broadest sense, has a big influence here. Khujand, Tajikistan is just a strange mix of old Soviet fear and respect for authority combined with social norms that conform to Islam. Rick Steeves said something like Iran was screaming out for non-conformity and this place is too but don't count on it anytime soon. The dominant culture is supported by corrupt authorities and tradition. Both of which are very hard to break free from despite that fact change in my opinion is needed in many different areas.