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A mahalla (sometimes transliterated makhallya) is an urban division in Uzbekistan. Historically, mahallas were autonomous social institutions built around familial ties and Islamic rituals. Today, they are formal structures run by committees (headed by chairs called "aqsaqals") and regulated by the government. Human rights groups have accused the Karimov government of using mahallas to control the population, repress dissent, force resettlement, and persecute religious minorities. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Islam Karimov Islam Abduganievich Karimov (in Uzbek actual Islom Karimov) (born January 30, 1938) is the President of Uzbekistan (since 1991). ... Fishers of Men, oil on panel by Adriaen van de Venne (1614) Various religious symbols Religion is a human phenomenon that defies easy definition. ...

External links

• Abuses by Mahalla Committees, by Human Rights Watch