The Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Today, Uzbekistan has entered a new stage of its development. This can be clearly seen in the example of fundamental reforms in the economic-social, cultural and religious-educational spheres, starting from the foreign and domestic policy of the new Uzbekistan.
In the last seven years, the consistent and well-thought-out policy aimed at strengthening the environment of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation between different nationalities and confessions, supporting intercultural communication and ensuring peace and harmony in our country has been fully supported by the international community.
Fundamental reforms based on the noble idea of ​​"For human dignity" initiated by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev began to show their importance in the prosperity of our people and the development of the country through the "Uzbekistan-2030" development strategy.
It should be noted that at a time when human rights to live, study, work, demonstrate one's talent, and follow one's religious beliefs are being violated to varying degrees in different regions and countries of the world, there are more than 130 nationalities and peoples in Uzbekistan and 16 representatives of the confession live peacefully on the basis of the principle of tolerance. It is a priority aspect for the stability of the society that representatives of different nationalities and religions can perform their prayers safely and freely.
If we pay attention to the analysis, a total of 2357 religious organizations and 16 religious confessions are operating in Uzbekistan. In particular, among 2159 Muslim organizations, 197 non-Islamic religious organizations are officially operating in our country. 179 non-Islamic religious organizations duly registered with the state are Christian organizations, 8 Jewish communities, 7 Baha'i communities, 1 Krishna community and
There is 1 Buddhist temple, as well as the interdenominational Bible Society of Uzbekistan.
If we take the last seven years, the total for the republic
117 religious organizations, including 2 higher and one secondary specialized Islamic educational institution, 91 mosques, and 23 non-Islamic religious organizations belonging to seven different denominations were registered with the state.

It should be noted separately that according to the special order of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Mehr" humanitarian measures were implemented to return the citizens of Uzbekistan from the conflict areas (Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan) to the country. It was brought to the country within the framework of these programs
The activities carried out with 531 citizens were systematically organized, medical assistance, psychological support was provided to these persons, personal documents were restored, measures were taken to ensure their employment, and at the same time financial incentives were taken.
It was brought as part of the "Mehr" humanitarian program
within the framework of ensuring the socialization of citizens, together with partner organizations, 97 of 121 women were provided with work and 43 with housing, 29 were sent to a health center for treatment, 55 were trained in training courses,
31 people were supported in entrepreneurship.
140 of the minors were placed in MTMs, and 211 were placed in secondary schools. Child benefit for 142 people,
Disability benefits were awarded to 6 people.
In addition to providing material support to our compatriots, in order to improve their spiritual health and re-adapt to social life, public representatives, imams and religious leaders are attached to them as trainers, "Family is the hearth of education", "Family is the holy fortress", "The role of the father in child education". , "Enlightenment against ignorance", "Spreading terrorist materials among the population", "Freedom is a great blessing", "There is no salvation except knowledge", "Religious extremism and terrorism are enemies of development", "I obey the law", "I am against foreign ideas" ” promotion activities were provided.
129 spiritual and educational events were held during the 1st quarter of this year in order to rehabilitate and adapt the persons and their family members brought within the framework of "Mehr" programs, and 267 women and their family members participated in the events. of the participants
Positive results were observed in the outlook of 263 people.
In connection with the month of Ramadan, by organizing "Sakhavat" events in the neighborhoods, to the needy and bereaved families in the neighborhoods, as well as to 129 women and their family members who were brought in as part of the "Mehr" program.

At present, systematic work is being carried out to provide psychological support to these persons, to re-socialize them to the society, and to eliminate socio-economic problems.
At this point, it should be noted that religious-educational workers, especially imams, are widely involved in working with people affected by foreign ideas, their rehabilitation and prevention.
In particular, imam-khatibs:
- "Enlightenment Against Ignorance" events, events aimed at educating the young generation, encouraging them to learn a profession, conducting conversations with people prone to bigotry, in particular, setting young people on the right path, and reforming troubled and estranged families;
- participates in conversations with persons who are serving a sentence in the form of deprivation of liberty due to their involvement in extremism and terrorism, as well as citizens who have sincerely repented of their actions and have been released from prisons;
- actively participates in social and religious rehabilitation of citizens affected by destructive ideologies due to religious grounds.
In addition, it creates a sense of intolerance among the population, especially young people, towards the destructive ideas of extremism and terrorism, and carries out social adaptation work with women and children who have mistakenly joined the ranks of international terrorist organizations from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq and were returned to Uzbekistan within the framework of the "Mehr" program.
Today, working with people who have not returned from the idea of ​​alienation is considered one of the main areas of activity of imam-khatibs and Islamic specialists working in scientific centers, and the work of dealing with their rehabilitation and prevention is constantly being carried out in a systematic way.
of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoev
During his visit to Bukhara region on August 10-11, 2023, the task of taking measures to connect imam-khatibs and members of the "Return Group" to those who did not return from the idea of ​​a foreigner was determined.

Accordingly, imam-khatib and Islamic experts working in the regions were attached to each of them in order to form healthy religious views and fully adapt them to the society.
Also, in the 1st quarter of 2024, relevant work was carried out to provide them with permanent employment, to start business activities, to provide them with material support, medical assistance, and to solve their problems in the housing and communal areas.
In addition, representatives of the religious sphere should work in cooperation with interested agencies and organizations in their regions to warn citizens who are going abroad for work, education, and other purposes about the foreign ideas of religious extremist organizations abroad, not to be influenced by the ideas of missionary groups, and the traditional Hanafi of Islam in our country. They are carrying out explanatory and propaganda work regarding the implementation of prayers on the basis of the sect.
At the same time, in order to study the living conditions of young people in foreign countries with a high concentration of Uzbek migrants, to educate them in the spirit of patriotism, and to protect them from the influence of foreign ideas by organizing cultural and educational events, there are also visits to foreign countries by well-known and eloquent imams and khatibs. is being organized.
In particular, during the past period, in countries such as the USA, the Russian Federation, South Korea, Turkey and Kazakhstan, educational activities were carried out to prevent falling under the influence of radical, destructive and other destructive ideas in the facilities where citizens of Uzbekistan work and among students.
In conclusion, it should be said that the large-scale reforms implemented in our country are a clear confirmation of the consistent implementation of the principle "For human dignity" by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Davronbek MAKSUDOV,
Republic of Uzbekistan on Religious Affairs
first deputy chairman of the committee