In 1992, Uzbekistan declared itself a secular state. The concept states that despite this, some citizens claimed that according to the rules of a "certain religion," it is necessary to:
- refuse to fulfill civil duties;
- deny the norms of public ethics, national, and universal values;
- restrict rights to access medical services, achievements in science and culture, goods, and services.
Some questioned the equality between women and men, while certain government officials did not understand the essence of secular governance.
“The lack of a clear definition of the principles of state policy in the religious sphere can lead to varying interpretations among the population, a distorted understanding of the foundations of a secular state, and an escalation of conflict situations in society,” the document explains.
The concept strengthens the connection between the state and religious organizations. According to the document, the country will continue to create conditions for:
- teaching laws in religious institutions;
- training highly qualified personnel for religious educational institutions;
- organizing holidays for religious denominations;
- preserving pilgrimage sites and sacred places;
- preventing radicalization, that is, actions promoting the superiority of one religion or denomination over others;
- combating the ideas of radical religious movements, extremist, and terrorist organizations.
The state will also support research on the culture of religions that have formed throughout different historical periods of the Uzbek people, as well as the religious and philosophical heritage of great thinkers and scholars recognized as outstanding achievements of Islamic civilization.
The overwhelming majority of Uzbeks practice Islam. In 1998, the country banned the wearing of hijabs and other religious garments. This ban was lifted in 2021. The publication “Ozodlik” reported that raids against the wearing of beards occasionally occur in cities of Uzbekistan, but official authorities denied this information.