Religious Conversions in Uzbekistan- The Case of Bahá’í Activities

Uzbekistan is a country where:

Islam is the dominant faith, practiced by over 90% of the population.

Religion is closely tied to national traditions, history, and identity.

The government tightly regulates religious activity to maintain interfaith harmony and prevent extremism.

In this environment, conversion to new or less familiar faiths—including the Bahá’í Faith—can raise sensitive questions, particularly about social cohesion, youth influence, and foreign ideological presence.

🕊️ The Bahá’í Faith’s Presence in Uzbekistan

The Bahá’í community:

Has been active in Uzbekistan since the early 1900s (especially in Tashkent and Samarkand).

Was suppressed during the Soviet era, then revived in the 1990s after independence.

Operates illegally in several cities.

⚠️ Areas of Sensitivity:

1. Religious Education for Children and Youth

Reports describe Bahá’í moral classes, study groups, and youth programs.

These programs influence young Uzbeks who are not from Bahá’í families, leading to indirect or soft proselytism.

Example: A youth event involving music, storytelling, and spiritual discussions in Tashkent included non-Bahá’í children. Some parents later objected that their children were exposed to unfamiliar beliefs.

2. Use of Cultural Events for Outreach

Public events, like the bicentenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth, involved Uzbek food, music, and dance, possibly blending cultural familiarity with religious messaging.

Critics says such events, while framed as cultural, may serve as indirect tools of religious influence.

3. Foreign Participation and Literature

Some gatherings have included visitors or materials from abroad, triggering concerns over external ideological influence.

Uzbek authorities have, in the past, confiscated Bahá’í literature and even deported individuals suspected of “missionary activity.”

According to a 2023 case , a Kazakh national was deported for holding meetings without official registration, which were interpreted as religious outreach.

🏛️ Government Position on Missionary Work

Missionary activity is illegal in Uzbekistan under current religious law.

All religious groups must operate only within their registered communities and may not recruit.

Authorities view unregistered meetings or outreach to non-members as violations, regardless of intent.

✅ Conclusion

The concern here is a specific religion ,the Bahá’í Faith :

Transparency in religious activities

Respect for Uzbek culture and majority beliefs

Protection from foreign or unregulated influence, especially on youth