Uzbekistan – a land that embodies peace, tranquillity, and stability

At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and on the basis of national unity, the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy was adopted, providing a solid legal and practical foundation for renewal. The reforms implemented under this program create conditions for improving citizens’ well-being and ensuring the sustainable development of both state and society.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has paid special attention to strengthening mutual respect, solidarity, and cooperation among different religious communities, supporting intercultural dialogue, and ensuring peace and harmony—efforts widely recognized by the international community.

Notably, on 19 September 2017, at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Mirziyoyev proposed an initiative that was later realized through the adoption of a special resolution, “Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance,” at the following UNGA session in 2018. The draft resolution prepared by Uzbekistan was unanimously approved by all UN member states.

This resolution gained particular significance by placing education and enlightenment at the forefront as effective tools for countering global threats such as extremism and terrorism—especially at a time of growing intolerance and uncompromising attitudes toward followers of different religions and beliefs.

As a logical continuation of this work, the international forum “Dialogue of Declarations” was held in 2022 to promote the principles of the UN resolution “Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance” and to advance the goals of Uzbekistan’s National Human Rights Strategy, adopted in 2020.

The main outcome of this meeting was the adoption of the “Bukhara Declaration,” which supplemented earlier declarations adopted in Marrakesh, Mecca, Jakarta, Potomac, and Punta del Este. This document became an important contribution by Uzbekistan to strengthening religious tolerance and interethnic harmony worldwide.

Importantly, this dialogue has now become a regular tradition: on 10–13 September this year, the second international forum “Dialogue of Declarations” will be held in Tashkent and Samarkand.

This forum represents an integral part of global efforts to ensure freedom of religion and to strengthen interfaith dialogue. It also reflects Uzbekistan’s determination to actively promote, at the international level, its strong commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

While in many parts of the world fundamental rights—to life, education, work, self-realization, and freedom of religion—are being violated, Uzbekistan is home to representatives of more than 130 nationalities and 16 religious confessions, who live together in peace and mutual respect. The ability of believers of different faiths to freely and safely practice their religion is a key factor of social stability.

Currently, there are 2,373 registered religious organizations in Uzbekistan, including 2,174 Islamic and 199 non-Islamic organizations. Over the past eight years, 130 new organizations have been registered, among them three higher and one secondary special Islamic educational institutions, 105 mosques, and 25 non-Islamic institutions.

The legal basis for these transformations is the Concept of State Policy on Ensuring Freedom of Conscience and in the Religious Sphere, adopted by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 1037 of 25 February 2025.

The Concept reaffirms the right to freedom of conscience and the constitutional principle of a secular state. It defines the goals, objectives, principles, and priorities of state policy in the religious sphere. Developed on the basis of Uzbekistan’s rich historical traditions and universal values, it is aimed at ensuring a stable environment for the progressive development of a multiethnic and multi-confessional society founded on democracy, secularism, freedom, equality, social justice, and solidarity.

Within a short period, major scientific and educational institutions have been established, such as the Centre of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan; international research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, Imam Termizi, and Bahauddin Naqshband; the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan; the School of Hadith Studies in Samarkand; and the Mir Arab Higher Madrasa in Bukhara.

These institutions contribute significantly to fostering a healthy spiritual environment, educating the younger generation as enlightened, modern-minded individuals worthy of their great ancestors, in line with the noble universal principle “Enlightenment against Ignorance.”

If in 2017 Uzbekistan had only three higher (one Islamic and two non-Islamic) and nine secondary special religious educational institutions, today their number has grown to 16, including six higher institutions.

To further advance this field, a Presidential Decree was adopted “On measures to further strengthen guarantees of the right of citizens to freedom of conscience and to raise reforms in the spiritual-educational sphere to a new level.” This document was welcomed not only by the religious and educational community but also by the wider public.

It is also worth noting that in recent years anniversaries and events of non-Islamic confessions have been celebrated alongside Islamic ones at a high level. These include the 145th (2017) and 150th (2021) anniversaries of the Russian Orthodox Church Diocese of Tashkent and Uzbekistan, the 120th anniversary of the Armenian Apostolic Church (2023), the 25th (2018) and 30th (2023) anniversaries of the Bible Society of Uzbekistan, the 200th anniversaries of the births of Baha’u’llah (2017) and the Bab (2019), and the 100th anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha (2022). These events are vivid examples of the spirit of peace and tolerance in our country.

At the same time, special attention has been given to enabling believers of various religions to make pilgrimages abroad. In particular, nearly 500,000 citizens have performed Hajj and Umrah, while more than 10,000 have visited holy sites in Israel, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, and other countries.

For thousands of years, Uzbekistan has been an integral part of the Great Silk Road, making a worthy contribution to the development of world civilization. Trade, science, and culture flourished here, while tolerance, hospitality, and respect for diverse cultures were key drivers of progress.

Today, the traditions and customs of different peoples in Uzbekistan continue to develop in harmony. The consistent spiritual and educational policies pursued under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev serve as an important foundation not only for ensuring peace, stability, and harmony within the country, but also for promoting these values globally.

The broad participation of representatives from different countries in the upcoming second “Dialogue of Declarations” forum clearly demonstrates the high international recognition of Uzbekistan’s efforts to promote freedom of religion and interfaith harmony.

Davronbek Maksudov
First Deputy Chairman
Committee on Religious Affairs
Republic of Uzbekistan