The number of illegal private Islamic schools (hujra) is reportedly increasing in Uzbekistan.

Ferghana.ru says that a documentary shown on Uzbek national TV channel Uzbekistan-24 notes that officers of the National Security Service (SNB) have revealed 116 underground hujras (small private religious schools) in the country over the first six months of this year.

Meanwhile, only 33 underground hujras were revealed in Uzbekistan during the whole last year.  

In 1998, Uzbekistan adopted the laws prohibiting activities of unregistered religious organizations as well as missionary activity and private religious schools.