About Results of Sociological Research "The Level of Religiousness of the Population"

April 18, 2007

The Center of studying of public opinion “Ijtimouy fikr” («Public opinion») has published results of the sociological survey hold in November-December 2006 directed on studying of features of development of religious consciousness and behaviour of the population of Uzbekistan.

The survey was held in 12 provinces of Uzbekistan, Republic Karakalpakstan and Tashkent. In total 1517 persons participated among them citizens of cities – 562 (37 %) and villages - 955 (63 %). Among them men - 734 (48,4 %) and women-783 (51,6 %), who represented more than 8 nationalities.

According to results of the research, the overwhelming majority of poll participants (99 %) trust in the God, however, despite of growth of a level of religious consciousness of respondents, socially-religious behaviour of many of them (85 %) obviously has no any expressed religious character.

By research it is revealed, that as below an educational level of respondents, accordingle there are more people among them who consider themselves as religious. The number of the respondents considering themselves "the religious person, leading an active religious way of life" has made 13,6 %.

The rational attitude to a Muslim ritually-ceremonial practice is kept as a whole. More than 36 % of respondents trust in the God, however, is not inclined to regular visiting a mosque and obligatory performance of all prayful rituals (in 2005 - 39 %). The quantity of the respondents daily visiting a mosque, has made in total 11,2 %.

Growth of number of respondents who observe a Muslim post from time to time (78 %, in 2005 - 75 %) is noted. The 38 % of them are observing Muslim post regularly.

Steadily high (about 72 %) the share of the respondents to some extent positively (normally) considering processes of religious revival in a society. The significant part of these respondents (26 %) is made by those who not only "supports", but also "accepts active participation in processes of religious revival ". In comparison with the previous surveys there was more quantity of respondents (21,3 %) whose attitude to processes of religious revival in a society is proceeding from secular (not religious) character of their way of life. At polls in 2005 such position was expressed by about 14 % of interviewed persons.

The steady public opinion according to which the family is the basic social institute, in a greater degree influencing on formation of positions in life and reference points of the person, including his religious consciousness and behaviour is kept. In particular, 72 % of respondents consider that "family and bases of family education" continue to possess the greatest potential capable to "sufficiently constrain the person from fulfillment of unseemly acts ".

At the same time, 41% respondents are adheres opinion, in accordance with “religious education, fear of sin” also are not less method “binding mans from perpetration of improper acts” (in 2005 33 % of respondents adhered such opinion).

Religion (Islam) continuing have a visible impact to relationships inside of the family and to the process of education of children – 54 % of respondents are believe, that religion have a positive impact, first of all, “to the process of education of growing generation”. Monitoring of this index shows to the preservation of high potential of the Islamic social pedagogies to the society.

There are very actively going on processes of the perception and revival of the into-religious and cultural values of society in the republic. Population have more possibilities to satisfy their spiritual needs. In accordance with opinion of 76 % of respondents, “just during the years of independence become possibly freely implement all Muslim traditions, customs and rituals. (in 2002 and 2005 55 and 64 % on average respectively). 50 % of respondents believes, that there is “going on process of perception of Islamic values in the society (in 2002 and 2004 38 and 44 % and in 2005 – 53 % of respondents respectively had such opinion). Majority of respondents (about 90 %) continuing positively estimate the situation in the sphere of believer citizens (in 2005 – 82 %).

64 % of respondents are believes, that “religious extremism and terrorism” are problems that carrying threat to the region of Central Asia (in 2005 – 67 %).

About 98 % (in 2005 – 94 %) of respondents are unambiguously disposing critically to the different extremist organizations and trends, which, in accordance with opinion of respondents, “would like poison young’s alien to the Uzbek people ideas” (53 %), “doesn’t know real values of Islam” (42 %) and should be perceived as “armed bandits, fighting against own people” (36 %).

Sustainable negative public opinion regarding terms “religious extremism” and “terrorism” has been preserved. As in previous researches, these phenomenon associating in respondents, first of al, as a “terrorist acts, diversions” (65 %). In accordance with opinion of 29 % of respondents, ideological base of radical trends is directed to the “dupe of young’s, to have destructive effect to their perception”, 24 % of respondents are believe, that these phenomenon could bring to the “complication of situation related to the proliferation of drugs in the region”.

Results of the research also confirmed, that changing of the level of religiosity of respondents, in whole, not depends on their material status. However, respondents are continuing think, those social-economic difficulties (21 %) and “intention quickly to earn big money” (25 %) are one of the main “reasons of hitting some of them under influence of religious-destructive forces, acting secretly”.