Horrific realities hidden behind the mask of religious education have been exposed in Uzbekistan. What parents believed to be places of learning turned out to be centers of cruelty and abuse.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, illegal religious schools were uncovered in Surkhandarya and Namangan regions. These schools operated in private homes, where children were subjected daily to physical punishment, beatings, and threats. Parents paid up to $100 per month for this so-called education.
As reported by Kun.uz, in Boysun district of Surkhandarya, a 25-year-old man had been conducting illegal lessons for nine children in his home since March 2025. One child reported being beaten himself, while others were found with numerous bruises and injuries. Forensic medical experts confirmed the severity of the wounds.
A similar situation occurred in Namangan. In Yanginamangan district, a 58-year-old man had been teaching 17 children illegally, charging each parent $100. He was officially charged under Article 241 for violating religious education procedures.
The most painful part is that these cases stemmed from parental neglect. Parents ignored the well-being of their children, continued to pay, and only acted when visible injuries emerged. Children had bruises on their backs, arms, and ears — even doctors struggled to document all the injuries.
According to the law, parents who fail to fulfill their obligations to raise and educate children face administrative penalties under Article 47. Investigations are now underway. Responsible individuals are expected to be held accountable. However, this situation reveals a systemic issue: when children are left in uncontrolled environments focused only on religious teaching, they are exposed to serious risks.
To prevent such tragedies, society itself must be vigilant. Not only law enforcement but also the community must monitor and report suspicious activity. The state must further strengthen oversight of pre-school and school-aged education, preventing unlicensed operations. Anyone working with children must undergo strict vetting.
This tragedy should awaken every parent, every teacher, and the whole society. Ensuring children grow up in safe, healthy environments is a shared duty — both legally and morally.
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