Restricted
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan has long been a highly restricted country, though its government made incremental reforms in religious freedom in recent years. Unity among believers across several Christian denominations and a focus on training and equipping Christian leaders have been positive developments for the small number of Uzbek churches and Christians. Still, it remains illegal to distribute evangelistic literature in public. In addition, on Feb. 21, 2025, a law was passed introducing fines of more than a month’s wages and up to 15 days in jail for parents who teach or allow their children to receive any illegal (non-government-approved) religious education before the age of 18. The government also requires that every book in the country have a code indicating that it is authorized by the government.
Major Religion
83 percent of Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims. 2 percent are Christians. Many are irreligious as a result of suffering under decades of atheistic Communist rule prior to the fall of the Soviet Union.
Persecutor
The government gives families tacit approval to reject other family members who become Christians, or to try to force them back to Islam.
WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN UZBEKISTAN
Converts from Islam are persecuted by their families, communities and sometimes by the government. Christians outside the Orthodox denomination are considered religious extremists and have been fined and detained for holding worship services, which the government sometimes considers to be illegal religious activity. Orthodox churches meet openly and legally, but most other Christians meet in unregistered groups. Uzbekistan’s government once routinely imprisoned Christians, but in recent years even fines and short detentions have become very rare.
Access to Bibles
Bibles are difficult to obtain and can be risky for some Christians to possess. Give Bibles
VOM Work
VOM distributes Christian literature and equips pastors and evangelists with ministry tools that expand their outreach and other ministry work. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Pray for Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan has more than 40 different people groups, some without any known Christians. Pray for God to move among them.
- Ask the Lord to plant churches in parts of Uzbekistan where there are currently no places for Christians to gather.
- Uzbeks who become followers of Christ often face family rejection. Pray for God's comfort and provision.
- The Uzbek government forbids pastors and parents from teaching children about Christ. Pray for creative solutions.
- Many Uzbek Christians who left Islam have been forced from their homes. Pray for new, secure places to live.
