Uzbekistan for Muslim travellers

Islam arrived in Central Asia in the 7th–8th centuries, and the cities of today’s Uzbekistan became great centres of Islamic learning and culture. Most Uzbeks are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school, and the Maturidi theological tradition was born here. During the Soviet period, religious practice was restricted, but since independence mosques and madrasahs have reopened, and Islam is an important part of daily life and identity.

Uzbekistan is officially a secular state: there is no religious dress code, and you will see a wide range of practice, from very observant families to more secular lifestyles, especially in Tashkent.

Meat in restaurants, cafés and bazaars is almost always halal, and pork is rare (found mainly in some supermarkets and international restaurants). Uzbek cuisine is based on mutton, beef, chicken, rice, bread, vegetables and fruit: try plov, shashlik, lagman, manti, samsa and fresh non bread. Alcohol is sold in shops and many restaurants, but it is easy to choose places that do not serve it, and traditional chaikhanas often do not. If in doubt, ask your guide or host.

Mosques are found in every city, town and village, and the call to prayer can be heard in many places. Visitors are welcome to pray in mosques; women’s areas are available in larger mosques. Friday midday prayer is the busiest time. Many hotels can indicate the qibla, and some provide prayer mats on request. Prayer apps work well with a local SIM card.

Major mosques include the Hazrati Imam mosque in Tashkent, the Bibi-Khanym mosque in Samarkand, the Kalyan mosque in Bukhara and the Juma mosque in Khiva. See the Khast Imam complex and Bibi-Khanym.

Uzbekistan is home to the shrines of some of the greatest scholars in Islamic history: Imam al-Bukhari near Samarkand, Imam al-Maturidi in Samarkand, Bahauddin Naqshband near Bukhara, al-Hakim at-Termizi and Imam at-Tirmidhi near Termez. See our ziyarat itinerary, the Imam al-Bukhari complex and the Bahauddin Naqshband shrine.

During Ramadan, life continues more or less normally in Uzbekistan: most restaurants stay open during the day, though some traditional places may close or reduce hours. Evenings are lively, with iftar meals in families, restaurants and mosques; you may be invited to share one. Shrines and mosques are especially busy. Eid al-Fitr (Ramazon Hayit) and Eid al-Adha (Qurbon Hayit) are public holidays; transport and hotels can be busy around them.

• There is no compulsory dress code, but modest dress is appreciated, and required in mosques and shrines.
• Women should cover their hair in mosques and shrines; men should wear long trousers.
• Remove shoes where carpets are laid.
• Greet with Assalomu alaykum; a hand on the heart is a common, polite gesture.
• Ask before photographing people, especially women and people praying.

Muslim women travelling in Uzbekistan will find modest dress normal and respected. Headscarves are common, especially outside Tashkent, but not universal.

Family-run guesthouses are welcoming and often provide a quiet, family atmosphere. Larger hotels may have minibars with alcohol; ask for them to be emptied if you prefer. Separate prayer spaces are rare in hotels, but staff are understanding. Families with children will find Uzbekistan very welcoming; see Uzbekistan with kids.

Many Muslim-majority countries have visa-free access or e-visas; see the visa pages for Malaysian, Indonesian and Turkish citizens, and visas from the UAE. Direct flights link Uzbekistan with Istanbul, the Gulf and several Asian cities.