The Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

At the new stage of national development, comprehensive and consistent reforms are being implemented to ensure religious tolerance, interethnic harmony and social stability, as well as to study in depth the rich scholarly and spiritual heritage of great scholars and thinkers.

In particular, significant work was carried out in the religious and educational sphere throughout 2025.

A total of 14 regulatory legal acts (2 Laws, 2 Presidential Decrees, 5 Presidential Resolutions, 4 Cabinet of Ministers Resolutions and 1 departmental document) were adopted, with primary focus placed on ensuring citizens’ right to freedom of conscience.

During the reporting period, large-scale nationwide outreach activities were conducted to explain the essence and significance of the Concept of Ensuring Freedom of Conscience of Citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan and State Policy in the Religious Sphere, as well as the Presidential Decree on strengthening guarantees of freedom of conscience and advancing reforms in the religious and educational field.

In order to present the content of the Concept and the Decree in a clear and accessible manner, media materials were prepared and published online, including 1,215 informational messages, 22 analytical articles and commentaries, 18 infographics, 8 interview commentaries, 7 video clips, 4 video podcasts, 2 television programs and 3 audio podcasts.

Major international events were also held. Notably, on 29–30 April in Samarkand, an international conference titled “Maturidism — a Doctrine of Tolerance, Moderation and Enlightenment” took place; on 10–13 September in Tashkent and Samarkand, the Second International Forum “Dialogue of Declarations” was held; and on 15 November in Tashkent, an international event under the theme “Uzbekistan — a Tolerant Country” was organized at a high level.

Systematic efforts aimed at strengthening the social and spiritual environment were carried out in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies.

Across the country, more than 70,000 outreach events were organized under the noble idea “Enlightenment Against Ignorance”, reaching nearly 3 million people.

Spiritual and educational activities were conducted with 711,782 employees of state and non-state organizations, 121,383 managers and workers of private enterprises, 73,607 entrepreneurs and employees, 30,865 military personnel and their family members, and 9,150 inmates. In local communities, open dialogue meetings covered 596,694 residents.

Among women, 13,606 events aimed at preventing violence and coercion were held, involving 108,840 participants.

Republican “Advocates’ Forums” were organized on 17–18 July in Jizzakh region and on 20–21 November in Kashkadarya region.

In cooperation with system organizations, 3,411 counter-narrative materials were prepared and disseminated to combat fanaticism, radicalism and extremist content.

More than 170,000 materials were distributed online through religious and educational resources. In addition, over 130 rebuttals and commentaries by prominent foreign scholars and Islamic experts were translated into Uzbek and published online.

Positive expert opinions were issued for the publication of nearly 1,100 titles of religious and educational literature. To enhance efficiency, artificial intelligence technologies were introduced into religious studies expertise processes.

New media projects were launched, including a call center under the Fatwa Center for compatriots abroad, providing direct expert responses, and an “Online Q&A” project enabling real-time interaction.

Currently, 2,148 mosques operate nationwide. During the reporting period, 3 new mosques were registered, 43 mosques underwent major reconstruction and 15 were renovated.

Ramadan and Eid al-Adha events were organized at a high level.

Educational programs at all religious educational institutions were comprehensively revised, nearly 10 new subjects introduced, and next-generation textbooks developed.

A total of 1,729 officials completed advanced training programs through the Committee’s Training Institute and its branches.

At present, 199 non-Islamic religious organizations operate in the country. In 2025, one new religious organization — the Roman Catholic Church — was registered in Navoi region.

Based on Presidential Decree No.68 of April 21, 2025, local Councils for Confessional Affairs were established in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand and Fergana regions, holding 7 meetings.

Participation of Committee representatives and Uzbek scholars in 439 international events was ensured.

15 meetings with foreign partners were organized, and Memoranda of Understanding were signed with Al-Azhar (Egypt), the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (Qatar), and Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

To engage compatriots abroad and prevent exposure to harmful ideologies, 32 specialists were dispatched to the United States, Russia and South Korea.

The 2025 Hajj and Umrah seasons were organized at a high level, with 15,000 pilgrims performing Hajj.

The Unified Hajj and Umrah Portal was launched to eliminate excessive bureaucracy.

As part of pilgrimage tourism development, over 845,000 foreign pilgrims and 2.9 million domestic visitors visited holy sites.

A total of 39 promotional publications were produced and distributed.

Under the slogan “Advocates of Peace and Spirituality of New Uzbekistan”, 29,125 households were visited with participation of 11,058 Hajis.

A total of 1,321 appeals were received; 1,304 resolved and 17 under review.

Within the edo.ijro.uz system, 950 of 1,084 tasks assigned to the Committee were completed. All 456 tasks scheduled for 2025 were fulfilled on time or ahead of schedule.

During the reporting period, 3 briefings, 1 press conference, 12 official statements, 15 official notices, 14 announcements and 7 official responses were issued.

Activities in the religious and educational sphere will continue in 2026 in a planned and systematic manner.

Committee for Religious Affairs
Press Service