Religious Matters of Youth Education for Marriage in Uzbekistan

This study discusses youth education for marriage in Uzbekistan from a religious perspective. Based on the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic scholars rationalize the presence of religious norms on almost all issues regarding the family. Uzbekistan society is greatly dominated by religious norms, and its influence takes on greater power in more traditional areas. There are numerous examples of the negative consequences that come from violating the established order of society’s rules, which become the subject of public debate. Individual people and whole families may have their lives ruined because of some parent’s or ancestor’s actions, resulting in a sort of family curse, heard in commonplace gossip throughout the neighborhood. Local elders, mullahs and hajis (people who have made hajj) give speeches on these topics, and such news is spread through religious lectures. This research looks at the religious aspects of preparing for family life in Uzbek society. As modern Uzbek society is experiencing the rapid development of market relations, the introduction of new social norms, and a resurgence of religious ideologies, the consideration of the role of religion and family becomes significant. In a post-communist country with lingering cultural characteristics from the former political system, research that illuminates such changing family notions are timely and necessary.