It’s not illegal to be a Christian in Uzbekistan. The president declared that as a secular state, Uzbekistan would not make laws about religion. However, the government has not approved registrations for any church buildings since 2022 and only about 30 churches have official registration. This lack of official recognition concerns ICR partners, especially after the president changed the constitution in 2023 to keep himself in power for the next 14-16 years.

On the social level, it’s hard to change people’s minds. With 93% of the population Muslim, conversion is often viewed as a deep dishonor to the family. When someone decides to follow Jesus, they often lose family connections.