Religion in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a multiethnic and religiously diverse country where people of various faiths coexist peacefully. The majority of the population, around 83%, identify as Sunni Muslims, while approximately 15% are Christians. The Christian population is largely comprised of Russian Orthodox Christians, alongside a smaller number of German Lutherans and Catholics. There is also a small presence of Buddhists and Jews within the country.

Religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan enjoy relative freedom of operation. In 2009, the government enacted a law titled “On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic,” which introduced certain limitations on missionary activities and required a religious group to have at least 200 members before it could officially register. The State Commission for Religious Affairs is tasked with overseeing religious organizations and monitoring their activities.

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of state-enforced atheism, religion in Kyrgyzstan has experienced a revival, with growing interest among the population. During Soviet times, the country had only 39 mosques and 25 Orthodox churches, and many religious buildings were repurposed for secular uses, such as cinemas, museums, or warehouses. In the 2000s, the number of mosques grew to 1,338, while there were 20 churches and 200 Christian prayer rooms. Each year, Kyrgyzstan is allotted 4,585 spots for pilgrims wishing to participate in the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, which are typically filled.

The country also hosts religious educational institutions, primarily Muslim and Christian. There are 10 higher education institutions dedicated to Muslim studies and one for Christian studies, alongside 62 Muslim and 16 Christian educational centers. These institutions are regulated by the State Commission for Religious Affairs to ensure compliance with national regulations.

Kyrgyzstan remains a secular democracy, without an official state religion. The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely choose, practice, or refrain from practicing any religion, ensuring freedom of conscience for all.