The Republic of Uzbekistan is a country with a multiethnic and multi-faith population. These values have been cultivated for millennia. Since ancient times, representatives of different ethnic groups, nationalities, religious beliefs and cultures have inhabited the Uzbek soil.

A number of historical and geographic factors have contributed to the diversity of the religious palette of this land.

Along with the victorious wars of powerful conquerors in different epochs, one of the most significant factors was its convenient geographic location, which served as the crossroads of trade routes. The Great Silk Road linking such ancient cities of Uzbekistan as Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Kokand and Khiva was the most famous. Most of those who had come to wage wars or develop trade relations settled here permanently.

These and other factors have contributed to the continuous expansion of religious diversity. On one hand, this provided an additional impulse to the common spiritual and cultural enrichment of the region. On the other hand, accord and peaceful coexistence of different religions turned into vital issues of the overall progress of the Uzbek land, and the region as a whole in the world community.

In ancient times, the mere fact of religious diversity impartially encouraged the best minds of this region to energetically search for ways of establishing good relations with the representatives of different religions, enhancing mutual understanding among them for the sake of the general prosperity of society.

Hence, the religious and socio-philosophical thinking of the Uzbek people has been refined over centuries, and laid a strong foundation for fostering and progressively developing the culture of tolerant inter-religious relations. Therefore, in reviving those spiritual values, much work has been accomplished in modern Uzbekistan, as was highlighted by President Islam Karimov: "If we want to build a just state and a free society, we have to remember that the way to accomplish these noble objectives is to go along with millennium-old religious beliefs."

From the first days of its independence (September 1, 1991), the strategic goal of the new Uzbekistan was announced as the creation of a democratic and secular state and civil society based on pluralism. Such a critical issue for the state did not endure a straightforward approach to religious questions. Establishing social relations and defining a real place for religion as a powerful social lever developed into the principal state policy.

It was clearly reflected in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted on December 8, 1991. Article 31 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, and prohibits propagation of religious ideas in a forceful manner. Article 57 forbids formation of associations and parties on the basis of national and religious differences. Finally, Article 61 declares the separation of religion from the state. As for this principal issue, all of the above-mentioned along with the firm personal stance of the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, had a great effect on the general evolution of the religious situation in the country, and especially on the state of interethnic and inter-religious relations. The representatives of non-native nationalities not practicing Islam and of those who do not adhere to any religious beliefs whatsoever gained confidence for a steady future. The natural state of harmony was restored after some disarray in inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations. It was reached by the additional improvement of the legal base guaranteeing the equal development of all religions on a civilized and democratic basis, excluding a privileged position of for any religion in social life.

Radicalization and politicization of religious conscience under the focused influence of organized forces in some places necessitated an adequate response of a legal character. In May 1998, the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan adopted a new version of the "Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations," which has become an important document. This law reinforced the administrative and criminal liability for the use of religion to political ends that fuels inter-ethnic and inter-religious enmity. All of these prove that the process of preserving and strengthening inter-ethnic and inter-religious accord within the process of establishing civilized society in Uzbekistan was not always smooth.

The Uzbek government took all the necessary measures to create the atmosphere of further reinforcement of religious tolerance in society. Its efforts are aimed at various aspects in this direction. Steady improvement in the legal base of inter-religious accord, expansion of the network of educational activity objectively familiarizing people with various religions and the culture of inter-religious dialogue, resolving existing socioeconomic, demographic and environmental problems negatively affecting the evolution of inter-religious accord in the country are among them.

The recent significant growth in the activity of non-governmental noncommercial organizations (NGOs) shows progress in this sphere. They have made a valuable and effective contribution to religious education, and to fostering significance of the idea of unity among the various parts of the population. The International Fund of Imam al-Bukhari is one such organizations actively participating in various projects. In 1999, an international inter-religious political forum on "Religion and Democracy" was held in Uzbekistan upon the initiative of the Fund and the Konrad Adenauer Fund in cooperation with other Uzbek and foreign partners.

Today more than 130 nationalities of various beliefs live in Uzbekistan with over 15 religious associations operating in the country. It is worth mentioning that the affiliations of various nontraditional faiths such as Krishna, Behais and others also operate here along with traditional Islam and historically rather extensively represented Judaism and Christianity.

There are 1,965 Muslim organizations and 188 non-Islamic religious organizations of 15 various confessions registered with the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan. Muslim organizations include the Council of Uzbekistan's Muslims, (the main body dealing with religious issues), the Kaziyat of Karakalpakstan's Muslims, the Institute of Islam in Tashkent, 10 madrasahs and 1,952 mosques. Of 188 non-Islamic religious organizations, 170 belong to Christianity, including 36 Orthodox , five Catholic, one Armenian, and 129 Protestant organizations of various denominations.

Various events are organized in Uzbekistan to support mutual understanding among different confessions. For instance, in 1995, a Muslim-Christian conference entitled "Living together in harmony" was held in Tashkent. In 1996 the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the 125th anniversary of its Eparchy in Central Asia. In the same year, followers of the Evangelical-Lutheran confession celebrated the centenary of the Lutheran church in Uzbekistan. In 1999, the Catholic Church opened its cathedral in Samarkand. In 2002, the Roman Catholic Church marked the centenary of the revival of Catholicism in Central Asia.

Much attention is also being paid to the provision of religious education. In 1999, the Islamic University was established in Tashkent, which along with the Institute of Islam, 10 madrasahs as well as one Orthodox and one Protestant seminary provide religious education to over 1,000 students annually.