In the most populous country of the region , Uzbekistan , there were only 89 mosques in the entire country in Soviet times .
The Soviets banned Islamic education , Sufi texts , prayers and hajj pilgrimage , closed religious schools ( where religious knowledge was transmitted ) .
In the most populous country of the region , Uzbekistan , there were only 89 mosques in the entire country in Soviets times .
The Soviets banned Islamic education , Sufi texts , prayers and hajj pilgrimage , closed religious schools ( where religious knowledge was transmitted ) .