People living in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, claim to have seen sacred writing in the sky above the city. Witnesses say that following a flash of lightning, the clouds dispersed to reveal the word ‘Allah’.

The incident is said to have occurred on Wednesday, July 23 at around 8pm local time. After being visible for half an hour the writing was again obscured by clouds.

When the writing began to appear, many people driven by curiosity gathered on the streets. Some of them managed to take photos of the writing in the sky with their mobile phones. When they paid a close attention to the shots, many discerned the word ‘Allah’ in what at first appeared to be hardly readable letters.

Some people genuinely believe that this writing was done by God, while others remain sceptical and describe the phenomenon as a mere accident. Mukhiddin Kabiri, the leader of the party ‘Rebirth of Islam’ stated that this sign could be God’s message, as well as a man-made phenomenon.

It’s not the first time that the people of Tajikistan have spotted such a sign. Similar writing was said to have been seen in different parts of the country in spring this year. When Arabic script emerged on the mosaic asphalt near one of the schools in Dushanbe, a mullah interpreted it as a message from God calling on people to repent.

The word ‘Allah’ has also been seen in the south of the country in the city of Kurgan-Tube, where a tree on which the word was inscribed was found. The spot became a place for pilgrimage.

Religious leaders are sure that all these signs are signs from God. However, so far nobody can say what really happened in Dushanbe in the evening of July 23.