New rules for weddings and funerals were introduced in Uzbekistan

At a joint meeting on September 14, both chambers of Parliament approved the Regulation on the procedure for wedding, family and anniversary celebrations, family memorial rites and events dedicated to the memory of the deceased.

The Parliament Information Service noted that in recent years, during celebrations, memorial rites and mourning events, there were such negative facts and vices as vanity, desire to show oneself, neglect of the social situation of other people, excessive waste, ignoring the traditions and customs.

According to the conviction of the people’s representatives, “Uzbek citizens often go into debt, conflict because of money with close relatives and become labor migrants, being unable to earn the required amount in their homeland”. Senators are sure that the problem of excessive costs can be solved only by strict regulation.

From now, all family events are held only one day from 6:00 to 23:00. Up to three days can be held funerals and mourning rites. And all this for good, from the point of view of legislators, intentions. “Time requires a strict streamlining of family events in order to stabilize the socio-spiritual environment in families, ensure social justice in society, and form a lean attitude towards such issues among the population, especially young people,” the deputies emphasize.

Up to 200 guests can participate in the festivities. It is allowed to invite up to 250 people to a wedding, and up to 300 people – to attend culinary ceremonies. The number of people participating in the funeral is not limited, except for pilaf ceremonies.

Now during the wedding in the motorcade of the newlyweds should be no more than three cars. In addition, about the wedding celebrations, it is necessary to notify self-government bodies of citizens at the place of residence at least one week in advance.

If people more or less agree with the rules of conduct during sad events, then the official attitude to weddings is skeptical, and often unwelcomed.

The population is confident that the powerful people [officials, businessmen, and security officials] will not reckon with this Regulation. Luxury at weddings or funerals is an integral part of their being.

According to Alisher Ilhamov, a researcher at the London School of Oriental and African studies, “one of the signs of a totalitarian state is its intervention in private lives of citizens, the desire to control everything. And under Karimov, decisions were repeatedly made to regulate weddings, and norms were set for how many guests should be at the wedding event, which rituals are acceptable and which are not. So, Karimov’s politics are alive and still in charge in the country. And Mirziyoev is his faithful follower”.