©
Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Uzbekistan Travel Guide
©
Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Uzbekistan presents itself as a country with a secular government. However, unofficially, the government has control over the practices and the religious aspect of daily life.
During your stay in Uzbekistan you'll be above all immersed in the heart of the Muslim religion which dominates at 94% and has done since the 8th century when the Arabs conquered Asia. Mosques and minarets punctuate the landscape and symbolise the splendour of the Islamic architecture, the grandeur of its empire. The religious aspect of Uzbekistan is therefore above all made up of Sunni Muslims, with Shias only making up 1% of the population.
During the Soviet domination, the religious aspect became problematic and Moscow led severe propaganda against Islam. Several Muslims were deported and mosques were closed.
The return to independence has promoted the stronger emergence of a moderate Islam even if the presence of certain extremist groups remains. The government though seeming tolerant and respectful of religious practices maintains a strong control over the different meetings and groups that are created.
During a trip to Uzbekistan you'll also be able to note the presence of other religious minorities especially the Orthodox Church, a survivor of the Russian occupation. Judaism, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Buddhism and some Baptist communities constitute a tiny part of religious life, at barely 2%.
It has been reported that the Christian community has suffered from persecution despite the words of respect for religious practices from the government.
Looking at folkloric art is not lacking in interest. It's the guardian of religious beliefs from before the arrival of Islam, mixed with Shamanism, Zoroastrianism and Mazda philosophy. These practices linked to nature are however no longer considered as religious currently.
