Press Release
Does the Uzbek Regime Fear the Month of Ramadan, When Allah's Blessings Descend?
(Translated)

The month of Ramadan has arrived, a time that Allah Almighty has designated as a month of mercy, blessings, purification, and victory for the Islamic Ummah. Like other Muslim peoples, the Muslims of Uzbekistan have welcomed this blessed month with joy and enthusiasm, determined to increase their worship and good deeds.

However, the Uzbek regime does not share these noble sentiments. Yes, the regime has made special preparations for Ramadan, but as became evident on the eve of Ramadan and in its early days, these preparations were not for good at all. For example, shortly before the holy month, the regime hastily adopted the concept of the "state’s religious policy," as if orders from the highest levels mandated its swift implementation.

This document is entirely contrary to Islam and its rules, as it introduces corrupt secular democratic ideas. The goal is to ensure strict adherence by state employees, particularly security personnel and soldiers serving in the army, to non-Islamic laws derived from these ideas. The adoption of this wicked concept right before Ramadan was no coincidence. Reports indicate that members of the National Guard were required to sign pledges abstaining from fasting during Ramadan, with warnings that failure to comply could lead to their dismissal from service. In reality, such restrictions have existed for a long time. For example, secret decrees and unwritten orders prohibit state employees from praying at work or attending Friday prayers, and this pressure intensifies during Ramadan.

Furthermore, just days before Ramadan, the regime enacted a law restricting donations and charitable activities. The Mufti, Nuriddin Kholiknazarov, who heads the Religious Board of Muslims of Uzbekistan, urged Muslims not to bring children to Taraweeh prayers, citing weak excuses. Meanwhile, Friday sermons and Taraweeh prayers continue as usual, but with messages urging Muslims to be wary of ideas such as "Khilafah (caliphate)," "jihad," and "interference in government affairs." These khutbahs also focus on criticizing Muslims, urging patience and gratitude, and calling for deep prayers for the president and rulers.

Of course, it is clear that behind this religious coverage of state policies by the Grand Mufti and imams stand individuals within the regime who are hostile to Islam. Reports have surfaced about security personnel standing in front of mosques to prevent young people under 18 from attending Taraweeh prayers. Even in schools, parents have been instructed not to send their children to mosques. It is said that such orders came from higher authorities to school principals and teachers.

And usually, official media outlets do not publish such information and reports, as orders are issued based on secret decisions. In discussions among our Muslim people, some compare the Uzbek regime’s policy against Islam to the repressive policies of Communist China against the Uyghur Muslims. Yes, you can say that this is true, because colonialist, kufar countries like Russia and America stand behind the Uzbek regime’s war against the beliefs of its people. The Mirziyoyev regime thinks of nothing but pleasing those colonialist countries and prolonging its rule. This regime does not refrain from committing evil, not even out of respect for the sanctity of Ramadan. On the contrary, it intensifies its corrupt and wicked actions during this month.

O Mufti of Uzbekistan and religious scholars: We have seen you in a state where you cannot even say a word of supplication for the oppressed Muslims in Gaza and the West Bank. Is there a limit to how much you sell your religion for a small price? Until when will you continue to justify the Uzbek regime’s un-Islamic policies and force Muslims to submit to them? In reality, the fact that you do not feel ashamed of continuing your corrupt actions even during this blessed month indicates that you are not affected by any advice. Can you not at least learn a lesson from the downfall of puppet regimes in Afghanistan and Syria? This regime that you serve today will also collapse one day in disgrace, and when that happens, you will find yourselves face to face with this oppressed people, who will hold you accountable for your betrayal and abandonment of them. And the reckoning before Allah will be even more severe and painful.

O regime of Uzbekistan: If you cannot do good, can you at least refrain from doing evil? Do you not fear the curse of your people and their supplications against you? Have you sunk to such a low level just to please our fiercest enemies, like Russia? Even during a great month like Ramadan, can you not show it some respect? Can you not at least stop tormenting your people during Ramadan? Of course, such words have lost their effect on you long ago.

Therefore, we warn you strongly: the consequence of serving the enemies of Allah and the believers is nothing but humiliation and disgrace in this world and the next.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

«صِنْفَانِ مِنْ أُمَّتِي إِذَا صَلَحَا صَلَحَ النَّاسُ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَا فَسَدَ النَّاسُ: الأُمَرَاءُ وَالْعُلَمَاءُ»

"Two classes of my Ummah, if they are righteous, the people will be righteous; and if they are corrupt, the people will be corrupt: the rulers and the scholars." And the Messenger of Allah (saw) spoke the truth, for these two classes are now not on the side of Islam and Muslims but on the side of their enemies.

The Muslim people must not remain silent about this matter; they must put an end to it. Otherwise, Allah may not accept our Dua’a and pleas for His mercy in the month of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said in the hadith narrated by Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman:

«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنْ الْمُنْكَرِ أَوْ لَيُوشِكَنَّ اللهُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عِقَاباً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ تَدْعُونَهُ فَلَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَكُمْ»

“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul! Either you command good and forbid evil, or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call upon Him, but He will not respond to you.”

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Uzbekistan