Three mosques and one church registered in Uzbekistan in 2025

The Committee for Religious Affairs of Uzbekistan reported on activities implemented in the religious and educational sphere throughout 2025. According to the report, two laws and 12 regulatory legal acts related to the religious and educational sector were adopted in 2025.

According to the committee, more than 70,000 outreach and awareness-raising events were held nationwide based on the “Enlightenment against ignorance” concept, reaching nearly 3 million people. In particular, participants included employees of state and non-state organizations, private enterprises, military personnel and their families, as well as inmates, who were “engaged” in the events. More than 100,000 events aimed at preventing violence and pressure were organized among women.

The committee also reported issuing more than 3,000 rebuttals to various pieces of information:

“In cooperation with system organizations, 3,411 rebuttal materials were prepared and disseminated against information promoting fanaticism, radical ideas, and extremism.”

It was reported that more than 170,000 materials were distributed via online networks through religious and educational resources over the course of 2025.

During the past year, positive expert opinions were issued on applications submitted by publishing houses and various organizations in Uzbekistan to publish nearly 1,100 titles of religious and educational literature, and permission was granted for their publication. Artificial intelligence technologies were introduced into the sector.

“To further improve the activities of religious studies expertise, optimize work processes, and ensure effective allocation of staff time, artificial intelligence technologies were introduced into the expert examination process,” the report said.

According to the Committee for Religious Affairs, a total of 2,148 mosques are currently operating nationwide. In 2025, three new mosques were registered, major reconstruction was completed at 43 mosques, and renovation work was finalized at 15 mosques.

The educational and methodological, spiritual and educational, and academic areas of all religious educational institutions were reviewed, and nearly 10 new subjects were introduced.

At present, 199 non-Islamic religious organizations are operating in Uzbekistan. In 2025, one new religious organization – a Roman Catholic church – was registered by the state in Navoi region.

It was reported that as part of efforts to develop pilgrimage tourism, more than 845,000 foreign visitors and nearly 3 million domestic pilgrims visited sacred sites.

The press service of the Committee for Religious Affairs held one press conference and three briefings during 2025.