Uzbekistan is a legal, social, and secular state. The Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience for all citizens. Thanks to this, interethnic harmony and an atmosphere of religious tolerance reign in the country. Representatives of all faiths freely perform religious rites.
Over the past five years, three laws, four presidential decrees, and many resolutions have been adopted in the religious and educational sphere. At the meeting, it was noted that their implementation serves the interests of representatives of religious communities.
In particular, comfortable conditions have been created for Muslims of Uzbekistan: more than 100 new mosques have been built, and 555 have been renovated. A procedure for allocating land to construct religious organizations’ buildings has been introduced.
The quota for the Hajj has been doubled. Over the past seven years, more than 60 thousand citizens have made the pilgrimage. The organization of Umrah has been regulated and brought into line with the law.
Particular attention is paid to issues of qualification and education. At the initiative of the President, the international centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, and Imam Moturidi, as well as the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan, have been established, which have become a platform for scientific research. Qualified specialists are trained at the Tashkent Islamic Institute, the Mir Arab Higher Madrasah, the School of Hadith Studies, and the specialized education institution named after Imam Termizi. More than 30 thousand citizens have completed courses in studying the Quran and Tajweed.
Improvement of cemeteries has also become a priority. In recent years, the memorial complexes of Abu Isa Termizi, Abu Muin Nasafi, Sultan Uwais Karani, and Suzuk-ota have been restored. Work continues at the Imam Bukhari Memorial Complex and the Center for Islamic Civilization. The Waqf Charitable Foundation has repaired and improved 90 pilgrimage sites.
International relations are actively developing to spread Islamic education and exchange experiences. This year, Uzbekistan hosted international scientific and practical conferences on “Islam – the Religion of Goodness and Peace”, “The Scientific Heritage of Imam Termizi in Islamic Civilization”, and Tolerance Week.
At the same time, growing threats in cyberspace pose a serious challenge. Radical ideas are spreading through Internet platforms that do not recognize borders and laws, which leads to the involvement of vulnerable groups, including young people, in the activities of illegal groups. It is necessary for the whole society to be vigilant and for religious scholars and elders to show the right path.
The creation of the Councils of Elders and Parents in mahallas, based on the experience of Kokand and Margilan, plays a vital role in this process. The initiative of the pilgrims of Uzbekistan “Let’s become devoted servants of the new Uzbekistan and preachers of spiritual values” has also become an essential step in improving the social situation.
The need to continue such good initiatives, strengthen the spiritual environment in mahallas, and attract young people to education and work was emphasized at the meeting. The responsible persons were instructed to adapt those needing social protection to society and ensure their employment. Particular attention will be paid to maintaining religious tolerance and interethnic harmony in the country.
