Modesty is a virtue, except for the president: State penalties for extravagance – how others do it

Tajikistan enforces a strict law, "Tanzim," or "to bring order," which dictates how citizens celebrate events like birthdays and funerals. The law, enacted in 2007 by President Emomali Rahmon, aims to instill modesty and prevent the ostentatious display of wealth, which the president argues offends poorer families.

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The main goal is to instill modesty in society, and inspectors collect draconian fines even for 'extravagant mourning' at funerals, which provides up to a million dollars in budget revenue annually.

Violators face significant fines. Amirdžon Holmatov was fined over $12,300 for his birthday celebration, an amount nearly 40 times the average salary. The penalty stemmed from inviting friends to a restaurant and posting about the event online, which authorities deemed "extravagant" and harmful to society.

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Modesty is a virtue, except for the president: state penalties for extravagance - how others do it.

While citizens are penalized for perceived extravagance, President Rahmon and his family are officially said to live modestly. However, unofficial estimates suggest their wealth could be as high as $1 billion, creating a stark contrast with the enforced austerity for the general population. The fines collected from these violations reportedly contribute significantly to the national budget, with one report suggesting up to $1 million annually.

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The leader of the nation, as the president is officially called in Tajikistan, continuously emphasizes in public that modesty is the greatest virtue and that wealthier citizens insult poorer families with their extravagance.