Saudi Arabia woos Persian-speaking Sunnis in Central Asia
A deterioration in economic and political relations between Tehran and Dushanbe since moderate Hassan Rouhani first took office has allowed Saudi Arabia to expand its influence in Tajikistan at Iran’s expense.
![TAJIKISTAN/ Men pray during Kurban-Ait, also known as Eid al-Adha in Arabic, at a mosque in the village of Nurabad, some 40 km (25 miles) west of the capital Dushanbe, November 16, 2010. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, marking the end of the haj, by slaughtering sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God's command. REUTERS/Nozim Kalandarov (TAJIKISTAN - Tags: RELIGION) - RTXUOWO](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/08/RTXUOWO.jpg/RTXUOWO.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=0WP_BQ4e)
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