The head of the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (SDMK) opposes giving children a matronymic. SDMK reported.
The Supreme Mufti of the country, Zamir Rakiev, opposed giving a matronymic to children. He stressed that every child should know his or her family.
According to the head of the muftiyat, «it is clear that the mother gives birth to the child, but it is important to indicate the name of the father, therefore, in Islam, the child is given a patronymic.»
He also added that «from Adam to the present day, all generations of people in all countries have given sons and daughters patronymics.» Zamir Rakiev recalled that the Kyrgyz remember the names of their seven ancestors, thanks to this they know about their origin.
He noted that matronymic can cause psychological trauma to a child and discriminate him or her in the eyes of society. He believes that «such dangerous initiatives destroy the roots of the nation.»
State Secretary of the Kyrgyz Republic Suyunbek Kasmambetov also announced his protest against matronymics.
On June 30, the Board of the Constitutional Court made a decision on the petition of lawyers Elvira Tilek kyzy and Ainura Osmonalieva, representing the interests of Altyn Kapalova, to check the compliance of the Law on acts of civil status with the Constitution.
Social media users are actively discussing the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic that matronymic is permissible.
The Constitutional Court clarified the decision.
«As for the right of parents, including mothers, to give a surname, first name and patronymic to a child according to the Soviet system, it is in direct contact with the right of the child. It is of priority importance and is under special state protection. Since a child with matronymic in a traditional society can become a victim of bullying and stigmatization, the application was denied,» the decision says.
It is further clarified that upon reaching the age of majority, a citizen who, for one reason or another, including experienced life tragedies, does not accept a male name as an element of his or her full name, he or she should have the right to choose between a patronymic and a matronymic. Therefore, the legislation should contain legal provisions that provide this category of citizens with such an opportunity, and not create conditions for violations of the principles of equality and prohibition of gender discrimination.
