Religion in Central Asia

Moslem religion
Islam, meaning in Arabic "giving oneself up to God, submission", is one of the three largest world religions, along with Christianity and Buddhism. A moslem must accept the "five pillars of faith". At present, Moslem believers number about 860 million members in more than 120 countries. The affairs of moslem communities and phetys (precepts, recommendations) on the most important issues of religious life in Central Asia are managed by the Religious Administration of Moslems of Maverounahr, having its head office in Tashkent.

Sufism
Sufism is a religious and philosophical moslem teaching developed in the Arab countries in the 8thc. The cause for the development of sufism was the state of social conditions in moslem countries. Sufism contains elements of New Platonism, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and particularly Buddhism.
In the 13thc. - 14thc. a variety of sufism called "Nakshbandia" was founded by Bahovutdin Nukshbandiy. There are some well preserved monuments to the saint sufis in Uzbekistan. Sufi moslems make pilgrimages to these places.

Buddhism
During the Kushan period, various religious systems were widespread in Central Asia. Some Buddhist monuments date back to the period of the Great Kushans.

Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a system of religious beliefs, which spread through the territory of ancient Iran and Central Asia in the 7thc.-6thc. BC. Zoroaster, or Zardusht, Zaraustra, Zardust, is the prophet of Zoroastrianism. It is assumed that Zoroaster began preaching in Eastern Iran and Central Asia, opposed worshiping chiefs of the tribes, priesthood, and old gods. The king was the first to adopt Zoroastrianism.
During the rule of the Arshakids and the Sasanids in Central Asia, Zoroastrianism was the official religion. The fortress dates back to the time when Afrosiab and Siyavush, the legendary hero mentioned in Avesta, ruled.