To date 2222 religious organizations of 16 confessions are registered in the state justice agencies of Uzbekistan.

Obviously, the majority of them ? 2042 organizations, i.e., 92% - are Muslim organizations as about 88% of Uzbekistan population consider themselves followers of Islam.

In addition, the following entities are active in Uzbekistan: 164 Christian organizations, 8 Jewish communities, 6 Bahai communities, 1 Krishna Society and 1 Buddhist temple.

The Republic of Uzbekistan, being a secular state, pursues the following principles in its relationship with religious organizations:

- Respect to religious feelings of believers;

- Acknowledgement of religious convictions as a private affair of each individual or their communities; ? - Guarantee of equal rights and impermissibility of prosecution of people for their religious convictions or lack of those;

- Necessity of establishing dialogues with various religious groups for the use of their capacities in the efforts of spiritual rebirth and foundation of common moral values;

- Realization that religion cannot be used with counter productive purpose.

According to the articles of Vienna Declaration and guarantees from the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the purpose of establishing multinational understanding and inter-confessional solidarity, the main priority in reformation of our society has become the defense of rights and freedoms, endorsed by our Constitution, and citizens? equality before law regardless of their race, gender, nationality, language, social background, convictions, faith, personal and social status.

The believers in Uzbekistan are free to celebrate their religious holidays. Thus, Muslim holidays Kurban-hait and Ramadan-hait are celebrated more widely every year. The same can be observed with Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas, and Jewish Purim and Hanuka. Moreover, Kurban-hait and Ramadan-hait have become national holidays in Uzbekistan by President Karimov?s decree.

Besides, every year with support from Uzbek authorities, believers have an opportunity to pilgrim to their shrines: Muslims go to Saudi Arabia for the ceremonies of Hadja and Umra, Christians travel to Russia, Greece and Israel, Judaists ? to Israel.

Totally, in the years of independence, over 50,000 citizens were given an opportunity to pilgrim to Hadj in Saudi Arabia, and over 150 citizens were able to pilgrim to Russia, Greece and Israel, to visit Christian and Judaic shrines.

The pilgrims receive wide-ranging assistance ? organization of special flights, medical services, no-commission currency exchange, discount air fares, expedited visa services.

During the years of independence, Koran, 16 books of Old Testament and the New Testament have been translated into the Uzbek language.

Hundreds of mosques, churches and oratories have been built and restored. This includes Orthodox temples in Tashkent, Samarqand and Navoi, a Catholic church in Tashkent and Armenian Apostolic Church in Samarqand.

According to the ruling of Uzbekistan?s Cabinet of Ministers from August 22, 2003, fifteen religious sites have been transferred under the supervision of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

In the end of 2004, Muslim Board in affiliation with Republic?s Society of Blind Citizens held a presentation dedicated to the publication of the Holy Koran printed in Braille alphabet. Uzbekistan is the third country in the world to have produced such a publication. Presently, there are about 24,000 blind people living in Uzbekistan. From now on, special schools, public libraries of the Republic as well as all interested individuals will be provided by copies of Koran in Braille alphabet.

During the presentation, it was noted that the publication of the Holy Koran for the blind, as well as organization of sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired in two Friday mosques of Tashkent, and the decision to implement this project in other regions of Uzbekistan, will be a priceless gift for our handicapped fellow-citizens.

The system of religious education consists of Tashkent Islamic Institute, 10 medrese, orthodox and protestant seminaries. In 2006-2007 academic year, Tashkent Islamic institute has 124 students, the medrese have 900 students, and orthodox and protestant seminaries have 49 and 33 students respectively.

Starting September 1999, Tashkent Islamic University has been established by the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. In 2003 the first class of students with Bachelors degrees graduated from it. 2005 saw the graduation of the first Master?s degree holders. University is also a home to an academic lyceum and a gymnasium.

Adoption of the new amendment to the Law from May 1, 1998 became the next step towards creation of democratic secular state. The amendment even more precisely defined the role and status of religious organizations and their interaction with state authorities.

Registration of religious organizations is conducted according to the ruling of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan ?About the Process of State Registration for Religious Organizations in the Republic of Uzbekistan? from June 20, 1998. Registration of religious organizations is continuing. In the course of the year 2006, 8 religious organizations received registration. Among them 7 mosques and 1 Orthodox church.

Uzbekistan is a secular state and its government does not discriminate between religious organizations because of their quantitative or territorial characteristics. All religious organizations, whether they are the majority as Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and Tashkent and Central Asia Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church, or single religious organizations, all have the same rights and obligations.

Council of Confessional Affairs has been established under the Committee on Religious Affairs. Its purpose is a closer interaction with religious organizations, organization of better support for various religious confessions in their activities, joint development of suggestions and measures for interfaith and multinational peace in society, improvement of communication among the confessions.

The Council of Confessional Affairs consists of the leaders of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Tashkent and Central Asia Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Union of Evangelist Christians-Baptists, Center of Churches of Christians of Full Gospel, Evangelist-Lutheran Church, and Jewish Religious Community of Tashkent.

The state supports peace between confessions and harmony in the Republic. Uzbekistan people?s rich spiritual heritage, ancient culture and religion have drawn the attention of international community.

The state fosters visits and tourism to Uzbekistan so that guests can see the country?s prosperity and that Uzbek government indeed lives up to its commitments.

Thus, in 1995, a Christian-Muslim conference ?Living Together Under One Sky? took place in Tashkent. Representatives of World Council of Churches as well as from a number of foreign churches took part in this forum.

Two important dates were celebrated in 1996:

? In November, 125 years of Tashkent and Central Asia Eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church. On this occasion, His Holiness Alexis II Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, visited Uzbekistan for the first time in the history of the church;

? In December, Evangelist-Lutheran community of Uzbekistan commemorated 100th anniversary of the only Lutheran Church in Central Asia.

In 2001 Tashkent and Central Asia Eparchy celebrated its 13th anniversary.

In 2002 Roman Catholic Church celebrated 100th anniversary of Catholicism revival in Central Asia.

In October 2003 Samarqand hosted a number of events on the occasion of 100th anniversary of Armenian Apostolic Church.

This year, events are being planned to commemorate 135th anniversary of Tashkent and Central Asia eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church.

It is pleasing to note that representatives of different confessions participate in these events.

Looking back at the historic road traveled by our people, it is worth mentioning that during the years of independence, enormous work has been carried out in the country. The whole core of the state has gone through significant transformation and major changes.

Adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan in December 1992 was an important political event in the life of our country. The Constitution is the foundation for forming legislative and legal basis of a sovereign state.

The constitution, in its article 18, has set forth that all citizens of Uzbekistan have the same rights and freedoms and are equal in the face of law regardless of their race, gender, nationality, language, social background, convictions, faith, personal and social status.

The Constitution guarantees rights of the citizens to the freedom of conscience. Everyone has the right to practice any religion or not to practice a religion at all. Propagation of any religious views is unacceptable (article 31).

This is the reason why we are proud of the fact that today over 120 nationalities and ethnicities reside and work in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan has established official diplomatic relations with more than 130 countries in the world. The process of democratization in our society is acknowledged abroad.

Uzbekistan, being a full member of international community, is fully responsible for support of any faith. But it should be particularly noted that this does not give any ground to use religion for political or any other purposes.