In 2026, many people living in Muslim-majority countries are still fighting for basic fairness. While every country has its own story, these ten leaders and governments are known for being the most "oppressive"—meaning they use power to take away freedom, hurt their own people, or stop anyone from speaking the truth.

1. Afghanistan: The Taliban (Leader: Hibatullah Akhundzada)

Since 2021, the Taliban has turned Afghanistan into a place where women are almost completely hidden. Girls cannot go to school, and women cannot work most jobs. They use harsh punishments in public to keep people afraid.

• The Issue: Total loss of rights for women and girls.

• Report: Amnesty International - Afghanistan

2. Iran: The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)

In early 2026, Iran saw huge protests again. The government responded by shutting down the internet and arresting thousands of people. They use the death penalty to scare anyone who asks for a different kind of government.

• The Issue: Violent crackdowns on protesters and internet blackouts.

• Report: Human Rights Watch - Iran

3. Syria: The Transitional & Military Groups (Post-Assad Era)

Even though the long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad was pushed out in late 2025, the new groups in charge are still fighting. Many people are still missing, and there are reports of new groups hurting people based on their religion.

• The Issue: Torture in prisons and missing persons.

• Report: Amnesty International - Syria

4. Egypt: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

President Sisi has been in power for over ten years. He has put thousands of people in jail just for writing things on Facebook or protesting peacefully. In 2026, he still uses "anti-terror" laws to stop anyone from criticizing him.

• The Issue: Jailing journalists and peaceful critics.

• Report: Human Rights Watch - Egypt

5. Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)

While the country is becoming more "modern" with new cities and concerts, it is still very dangerous to disagree with the Prince. People have been sentenced to decades in prison just for a few tweets.

• The Issue: Extreme prison sentences for social media posts.

• Report: Amnesty International - Saudi Arabia

6. Pakistan: The Military Establishment (Leader: Asim Munir)

In 2026, the military has a very tight grip on the country. They have kept the most popular leader, Imran Khan, in jail and are accused of "disappearing" activists who speak out against the Army’s power.

• The Issue: Suppressing political parties and "missing" activists.

• Report: Amnesty International - Pakistan

7. United Arab Emirates (UAE): President Mohamed bin Zayed

The UAE looks rich and fancy, but it has zero tolerance for dissent. In 2026, many human rights defenders are still in prison after "unfair trials." You can be arrested just for joining an advocacy group.

• The Issue: No freedom of speech and mass trials for activists.

• Report: Human Rights Watch - UAE

8. Türkiye: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

President Erdoğan has used the courts to go after his rivals. In 2026, many lawyers and mayors have been removed from their jobs or put on trial simply because they belong to a different political party.

• The Issue: Using the law to punish political enemies.

• Report: Amnesty International - Türkiye

9. Turkmenistan: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov

This is one of the most closed countries in the world. The government controls everything people see and hear. There is no such thing as an independent newspaper or a protest in Turkmenistan.

• The Issue: Total government control over all information.

• Report: Human Rights Watch - Turkmenistan

10. Tajikistan: President Emomali Rahmon

President Rahmon has ruled since the 1990s. He has banned all political opposition and uses "security" as an excuse to arrest anyone who practices their religion in a way the government doesn't like.

• The Issue: Closing down political parties and religious freedom.

• Report: Amnesty International - Tajikistan

The Takeaway for 2026

The "Hard Reset" for these countries isn't coming from the leaders, but from the people. Despite the danger, brave people in places like Iran and Afghanistan continue to stand up and demand a world where they aren't afraid of their own governments.

While the world often looks at North Korea as the ultimate "closed" nation, Turkmenistan is arguably even more mysterious. In 2026, the country remains a "Father-Son" duumvirate, where the transition from Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to his son, Serdar, hasn't changed the status quo. It is a land of extreme contrasts: a billion-dollar marble capital sitting atop one of the world’s largest gas reserves, while the people often stand in lines for bread.

Here is an investigative look into the "Silent Capital" and the bizarre rules that govern it.

1. The "Ghost City" of White Marble

Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the highest density of white marble buildings. However, if you visit in 2026, you will notice something haunting: the streets are almost completely empty.

• The White Car Rule: Since 2018, dark-colored cars have been banned. If you have a black car, you must paint it white or silver, or it will be impounded. The President believes white brings "good luck" and keeps the city looking "pristine."  

• The "City of the Dead": Over 543 marble-clad buildings exist, yet many are empty. They are built for show, not for people.  

• The Fountains of Waste: In a country that is 80% desert (the Karakum), Ashgabat features hundreds of massive, illuminated fountains that run 24/7, even as regular citizens in rural areas face water shortages.

2. The Berdimuhamedov "Duumvirate" (Two-Man Rule)

In 2022, Gurbanguly (the father) stepped down to let his son, Serdar, become President. However, as of January 2026, the father has actually increased his power through constitutional changes.

• The "National Leader": Gurbanguly is now the "National Leader" (Arkadag) and head of the People’s Council. He has total immunity and can override his son’s decisions. 

• The "Hero of Turkmenistan": Both men share the title of "Hero," and their portraits are everywhere—in every classroom, office, and even on the home screens of state-issued smartphones.

• Justice by TV: The "Public Humiliation" sessions continue. In 2025 and early 2026, high-ranking ministers were brought before cameras to beg for forgiveness for "corruption" before being hauled off to prison.

3. The "Silent" Surveillance State

Turkmenistan is one of the most monitored places on Earth. In 2026, the digital walls are higher than ever:

• Internet Blackout: Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are blocked. The government uses advanced AI to track anyone using a VPN. If caught, citizens face fines or interrogation by the Ministry of National Security. 

• The "Alien" Ban: New rules in recent years restricted women’s rights, banning "foreign" beauty trends like dyed hair, false eyelashes, and jewelry labeled as "non-traditional."

• Compulsory Curfew: An 11:00 PM (and sometimes 9:00 PM in some provinces) curfew is strictly enforced. After this hour, the "White City" becomes even more silent, with only police patrols and a few street cleaners visible.

4. The "Gateway to Hell" and the Gas Crisis

Despite sitting on the world's 4th largest gas reserves, the economy is struggling under the weight of massive vanity projects.

• The Darvaza Gas Crater: This famous "Door to Hell"—a fire burning since 1971—was ordered to be put out in 2022. As of January 2026, scientists have finally begun a technical plan to drill a new well to divert the gas and stop the flames completely.

• Food Lines: While the capital glows with golden statues, reports from 2025 indicate that citizens in smaller towns still face shortages of subsidized flour and cooking oil.

• Natural Gas Monopoly: Almost all wealth comes from gas sales to China and Russia. This money is funneled directly into marble projects rather than public infrastructure.

Strategic Insight: The "Stability" Myth

For outsiders, Turkmenistan looks like a bizarre curiosity because of its "world records" and "dog statues." But for those living there, it is a high-stakes survival game. By controlling even the color of a car or the length of a beard, the regime ensures that no one feels safe enough to start a protest. In 2026, Turkmenistan remains a perfectly polished, marble-white cage.

Verified Research & Global Reports

• Freedom House: Turkmenistan 2025-2026 Freedom Report

• Human Rights Watch: Inside the Closed State of Turkmenistan

• Times of Central Asia: Turkmen Scientists Develop Plan to Extinguish Darvaza Gas Crater  

• The Guardian: Inside Ashgabat: The Empty City of the Dead

In a world where many nations are becoming more religious, Tajikistan is moving in the exact opposite direction. Despite over 95% of the population being Muslim, the government—led by President Emomali Rahmon since 1992—has spent the last decade passing laws that make it feel like Islam is under a permanent microscope.

In June 2024, this reached a peak with Law No. 2048, which officially banned the hijab and other "alien garments" that do not align with traditional Tajik culture.

1. The "Beard and Hijab" Surveillance

The state’s control over appearance isn't just a suggestion; it is enforced by police raids and heavy fines.

• For Men: Having a long beard is viewed as a sign of "extremism." In recent years, police have reportedly stopped men on the street and forcibly shaved them. Young men are generally expected to be clean-shaven to hold jobs or receive passports.

• For Women: The hijab (specifically the style that covers the neck and chest) is banned in schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Authorities promote the "Tajik style" of headscarf, which is tied behind the neck, leaving the throat visible.

• Fines: Wearing "alien" (Islamic or Western) clothing can result in fines of up to 7,920 somoni ($730) for individuals—a massive amount in a country where the average monthly salary is often less than $200.

2. Why Does a Muslim Government Fight Islam?

To many outsiders, this seems like a contradiction. Why would a Muslim leader restrict his own faith?

1. Fear of the "Afghan Effect": Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan. The government is terrified that radical ideas will leak across the border and lead to a civil war, similar to the one that killed 100,000 Tajiks in the 1990s.

2. Secularism as Power: The regime uses "Secularism" to ensure that no religious leader becomes more popular than the President. By controlling how people look and pray, the state ensures it remains the only "God" in the eyes of the law.

3. Nationalism: The government wants to create a "Tajik Identity" that is separate from the wider Islamic world. They want citizens to identify with their ancestors and their language first, and their religion second.

3. Living Under the Microscope

The surveillance goes far beyond just clothing. In 2026, religious life in Tajikistan is strictly scheduled:

• No Kids in Mosques: Under the "Parental Responsibility Law," anyone under 18 is generally banned from attending mosque services.

• Approved Sermons: Imams are state employees. Their Friday sermons are often written or approved by the government to ensure they don't say anything "political."

• Loudspeakers Banned: In many cities, the Adhan (call to prayer) is no longer allowed to be played over external loudspeakers.

• Holiday Restrictions: Children are now banned from the tradition of Idgardak—going door-to-door to collect sweets during Eid—because the state views it as "non-Tajik."

4. Analysis: Does Surveillance Work?

While the government says these rules keep the country safe from terrorism, many human rights experts argue it actually does the opposite.

"By banning moderate religious expression, you push people into the shadows. When people can't learn their faith in a mosque, they go to the dark corners of the internet, where they are much easier to radicalize."

For all races and religions, the Tajikistan case is a fascinating look at State vs. Spirit. It asks the question: Can a government successfully change the identity of its people through laws and scissors, or does faith simply grow stronger when it is forced underground?

Verified Research & Global Reports

• Amnesty International: Tajikistan 2024 Human Rights Report

• Library of Congress: New Law Bans Hijab and Limits Religious Celebrations

• USCIRF: The Repression of Religious Freedom in Tajikistan (2025 Update)

Let’s cut through the noise. Forget the sanitized news reports. Taj Ali isn't just a journalist; he is a chronicler of a community under fire. In a 2024 Britain grappling with systemic racism, flag-strewn streets, and the aftermath of violent riots, Taj’s journey with producers Christopher Cherry and Maeve Shearlaw reveals a truth that is raw, uncomfortable, and essential.

This isn't a surface-level look at "diversity." This is about the unfiltered reality of smaller ethnic minority communities in forgotten towns—people demanding safety and justice, not just empty promises.

1. The Atmosphere: From Flags to Fear 🚩

The summer of 2024 was a turning point. Across the UK, flags didn't just go up on lamp-posts; they were used as markers of territory. For Muslim communities, this wasn't about patriotism; it was about the threat of the "other." In smaller towns, away from the safety of big-city diversity, the sense of isolation is palpable.

• The Climate: Taj Ali has been collating evidence of rising hate crimes, documenting how fear has seeped into everyday life—from school runs to grocery shopping.

• The Geographic Shift: While big cities have support networks, smaller towns often leave minorities feeling visible but unprotected. The "quiet" racism of the past has transformed into an overt hostility that many thought was history.

2. The Struggle: Loss of Community and Rising Hate 🎤

Taj’s reporting highlights a deeper sociological crisis. The riots weren't an isolated incident; they were the explosion of a narrative that has been simmering for years.

• "Abusing Muslims Won’t Fix This Country": One of the most powerful messages from Taj’s investigation is the realization that Islamophobia is a distraction. People are angry about the loss of their own communities and economic decline, but that anger is being misdirected toward neighbors.

• Systemic Failure: He explores how the removal of community spaces and the decay of small-town infrastructure created a vacuum that far-right ideologies filled with hate.

• The Impact: He gives a voice to those left behind by the news cycle, showing that the trauma of a riot doesn't end when the police leave the street.

3. The Response: Resilience and Rolling Up Sleeves 🌍

Despite the fear and the anger, Taj found a story of incredible strength. People everywhere are refusing to be victims.

• Agency in Action: In every town Taj visited, he found people "determined to roll up their sleeves." From interfaith solidarity to grassroots neighborhood watches, the community is building its own safety.

• Redefining Community: They are shifting the focus from "civil rights" as a concept to human rights as a lived reality, ensuring that the loss of community isn't permanent, but a catalyst for better organization.

• The Vision: By linking local struggles with a broader national conversation, Taj Ali is helping to build a blueprint for how minority communities can thrive in hostile environments through self-reliance and authentic connection.

📊 UK Hate Crimes: The 2024 Reality

🔗 Reliable & Reputable Sources

• Taj Ali's Investigative Work: Check the original reporting on X/Twitter

• The Guardian - UK Hate Crime Rise: https://www.theguardian.com/society/hate-crime

• Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks): https://tellmamauk.org/

• Home Office Hate Crime Statistics 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2023-to-2024

• Hope Not Hate: https://hopenothate.org.uk/

The Final Word

Taj Ali’s work reminds us that while hate might grab the headlines, it’s the quiet, determined work of community building that wins the war. We are in a moment where questioning the narrative is essential. True freedom in 2024 means refusing to be intimidated and continuing to be your authentic self, unapologetically, no matter what flag is on the lamp-post.

How is your local community rolling up its sleeves to combat hate today?