Uzbekistan Uncovers Illegal Religious Classes for Children

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — ​​​​​Uzbekistan's State Security Service has uncovered cases of illegal religious instruction involving minors in the Surkhandarya and Ferghana regions. Criminal cases have been opened in both incidents.

According to the State Security Service, a 41-year-old previously convicted man in Denau District of Surkhandarya Region, who had neither formal religious education nor the required authorization, had been conducting religious lessons at his home for 22 children aged between 7 and 15 since June.

The children, who came from Denau and Altynsay districts, were provided with accommodation and instruction in conditions that did not meet sanitary and hygiene standards. Monthly tuition fees ranged from 500,000 soums to US$100.

Another similar case was uncovered in Rishtan District of Ferghana Region. According to the State Security Service, a 55-year-old woman had been conducting religious classes without the required authorization for five children aged between 9 and 15 since late May. The children had travelled from Bagdad and Yazyavan districts.

Criminal cases have been opened in both incidents under Part 2 of Article 229-2 of the Criminal Code, which establishes liability for teaching religious doctrine to minors without the required religious education, official authorization and in a private setting. The investigation is ongoing.

Administrative measures have also been taken against the children's parents under Article 47 of the Code on Administrative Responsibility for failing to fulfil their obligations regarding the upbringing and education of minors.

As previously reported, similar cases were identified in the Surkhandarya and Namangan regions in August 2025.

In Baysun District, a man was paid to teach nine children and, according to law enforcement authorities, subjected them to physical violence. Another case of illegal religious instruction was recorded in Ferghana Region in July of the same year.

In April this year, law enforcement authorities also uncovered an underground religious school where classes were conducted under coercion, some children did not attend general education school, and pupils suffered bodily injuries.

In February 2025, a law came into force in Uzbekistan establishing liability for parents who illegally involve their children in religious education.

In June of the same year, a law introducing criminal liability for teaching religious doctrine to minors without the required education and authorization was approved.

At the same time, Muzaffar Kamilov, head of the Department for Religious and Educational Affairs of the Presidential Administration, previously said that the country is considering creating conditions that would allow adolescents under the age of 18 to receive religious education through legal channels.