Religion in Uzbekistan

Religion in Uzbekistan

Islam is by far the dominant religion in Uzbekistan, as Muslims constitute 90% of the population according to a 2009 US State Department release. Approximately 5% of the population are Russian Orthodox Christians. An estimated 93,000 Jews were once present in the country.

Despite its predominance, the practice of Islam is far from monolithic. Many versions of the faith have been practiced in Uzbekistan. The conflict of Islamic tradition with various agendas of reform or secularisation throughout the 20th century has left the outside world with a confused notion of Islamic practices in Central Asia.

In Uzbekistan the end of Soviet power did not bring an upsurge of fundamentalism, as many had predicted, but rather a gradual reacquaintance with the precepts of the faith. However after 2000, there seems to be a rise of support in favour of the Islamists.

Although constitutionally maintaining rights to freedom of religion, Uzbekistan maintains a ban on all religious activities not approved by that state. See: Human Rights; Freedom of Religion, Uzbekistan

Online sources