Soviet Muslims’ shape
Quickly after the Central Asian States gained independence in the beginning of the 1990s, they started to shape their identities as nation states.
Kazakhstan was not an exception to this and the desire to revive the religious traditions of the past appeared to be obvious.
According to the estimates of Nationmaster stats, 47 percent of all Kazakhstanis are Muslims, while Russian Orthodox count for 44 percent, and 2 percent are protestants and 7 percent are believers of other faiths or non-believers. It is clear that Muslims over here in Kazakhstan don’t outnumber Christians too substantially.
The coutry itself claims to be a secular one and does not like theidea of Islamic revival due to the fear of religious extremism.
What in reality the country was left with after the fall of Soviet Union is the overwhelming and largely atheist working class layer, which can be found in any former country of the Soviet Union.
As a result, since independence Central Asians associate Islamic religion with traditional ties and statehood.
Even the idea of a stronghold of Islam in Usbekistan, Tadjikistan and Turkmenistan is more or less an illusion, except for some hotbeds of religious renaissance, e.g. in the Ferghana Valley.
It seems like Central Asian Soviet Muslims have been shaped as a second layer between two worlds that is East and West. These Muslims interestingly comprise the characteristics of shamanism that forms part of the Mongolian historical experience.
It is known that the country leaders of Central Asia tend to refer their ties to Ganghis Khan claiming that the nomads once upon a time served the great Mongol emperor, who was not a follower of Islam.
As for being Muslims, Kazakhstani and other Central Asians are predominantly Sunnis, but I’m sure the majority of population doesn’t have an idea about what the difference between Sunnis an Shi’is actually is.
One more significant issue is that Central Asian people recognize their Turkic origin (also in a religious sense) but exhibit little knowledge on ancient Turks.
So, it seems that the revival of Islam in Kazakhstan and in Central Asia is limited to cultural development. However, as seen in Uzbekistan, religion can be a very important valve through which discontent can be voiced. If repression continues, Islam will surely gain weight and significance.
on December 24th, 2005 at 2:32 am
Dear Baktygul,
Good article.
While I agree with the major points on your article, I disagree that many people in Kazakhstan do not know the difference between Sunni and Shii’te Islam. I am originally from Shymkent region and people there are aware of their religious beliefs for the most part.
on December 24th, 2005 at 9:12 am
Nurjan,
I appreciate that you express your opinion on this matter because Islam actually is part of Central Asian people’s life since once in the past the historical events made the tribes and the nations that had been living and migrating on the territories of modern Central Asia to be come muslims. But the soviet union in the history of Central Asia had appeared as a serious turn for the people over here that is why there are odities and confusion concerning the religion, which has to be talked about a lot. I believe that you may know a lot about Islam and maybe people in your neighborhood also have a good knowledge but I would argue on the majority of the population that is aware on Islam religion.
Thank you for the counter point, I appreciate it.
Baktygul.
on December 26th, 2005 at 5:11 am
Nurzhan,
the answer is that you are from Shymkent. People there as well as in the other southern regions of Kazakhstan (not Almaty) and in the western regions probably has better knowledge of islam than other kazakhstanis. As for the other regions (Central, North, East) islam has very little influence (practically none) on the way of thinking, perception and decision-making.
on December 27th, 2005 at 8:50 pm
Dear LazyNomad,
I agree with your point, however, Shymkent region constitutes about 25% of Muslim population of Kazakhstan therefore it is not correct to say that the majority of Muslims don’t know about Islam since 25% is a big proportion!
on January 10th, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Köp rakhmet Baktygul! Here is an article on a similar issue that might be of interest:
http://www.thinking-east.net/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141
“Even the idea of a stronghold of Islam in Usbekistan, Tadjikistan and Turkmenistan is more or less an illusion,”
Yes. The so-called ‘threat of Islamic extremism’ in the region is, if not a myth, then largely exaggerated, partly for poltical reasons, partly out of naivity.
“So, it seems that the revival of Islam in Kazakhstan and in Central Asia is limited to cultural development. (…) If repression continues, Islam will surely gain weight and significance.”
Here I don’t fully agree. This is indeed a very classical point of view but in my opinion it is too easy to limit interest for Islam as merely cultural (in the narrow sense of the word: art, folklore, history etc.) and as the outcome of negative factors (repression, poverty, unemployment).
What, for example, if a number of ex-Soviet Muslims (perhaps not a massive majority of them but not a few either) see Islam as an opportunity rather than as a threat? With opportunity, I mean: an identity, a source of dignity and self-respect and a social framework.
The vast majority of the region’s people naturally want a decent life and a minimum of social justice and security for themselves and their families. Yet I think there is a lot of truth in a statement made by Samuel Huntington in ‘The clash of civilisations’:
« People do not live by bread and reason alone. They cannot calculate and act rationally in pursuit of their self-interests until they define their self. Self-interest presupposes identity. »
What is that identity, or where to find it? The Soviet Union is gone, and even if its impact it still visible and popular nostalgia strong, it is dead as a project for the future. And the blind westernisation and the sort of capitalism that we saw in the region over the last decade was very often the worst of both (also, much of the imported western/international concepts simply do not ‘stick’ or are discredited in the eyes of many local people).
In my opinion, the ex-Soviet Muslims’ real identity today has two key elements:
*a continuing Russian influence due to the Soviet era;
*and a historical legacy undeniably rooted in Islam (Sufism in particular), the cultural sphere that was dominant during the region’s heyday. Both seem contradictory but IMO are not necessarily so.
IMO, a suitable, Eurasian form of Islam would be good for the region. It can help cement an identity at a time when ethnic traditions and Soviet codes of conduct erode fast, as they do elsewhere in the world. It can offer a social framework for an emerging middle class at least in parts of the region. If can foster a higher level of resistance against social decay (alcoholism, drug addiction) and more social responsibility. And even support certain social services where overburdened governments can not ? unless there’s indeed reason to panic if social networks around mosques and waqfi (Muslim charity foundations) take care of impoverished pensioners or set up sports facilities and computer classes?
Having said all that, I am not naïve or over-idealising Islam at all. Yet I do think that many (I do not mean anyone here but in general) are dangerously naïve about the benefits of wholesale ‘westernisation’ and ‘secularism’.
on January 24th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Good analysis on the country…I think you are very interested in country’s affairs..Good luck!
Don Lapre Jeffery
webmaster@john-don-lapre-world.com
www.john-don-lapre-world.com
on May 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I am a Fundementalist , Terrorist and Extremist. Fundementalist is a person who follows the fundementals of something . e.g A doctor to be a doctor He should know the fundemental of the medicine. If he won’t be a fundementalist in his field. He wouldn’t be a good doctor. To know something. You should know the fundementals of it. I know the fundemental of islam which is the Islamic creed(shahadah) Prayers, zakat, fast and pilgramige. so whats wrong being a fundementalist. Terrorist… Terrorist is a person who terrorize someone. e.g My countries is being attacked by americans.. for them i am terrrorist and but to my country i am a freedom fighter. In the same context many countries can be taken. for me americans are terrorist. Why shouldn’t be I extremist ? i am extremely devoted to my God. I extremly love my parents, I extremely humble , kind and respect others , i am exteme in doing good things.. Regarding the sects.. God says in Quran… And hold fast the rope of God and be not divided. Our prophet PBUH was not a sunni or shia he didn’t belong to any sect. Those scholars.. may Allah bless them had only thoughts and preached islam. We should steadfast to Quran and Sahih Hadith. and be not divided. If anyone wants to know more in detail. i am willing to explain alot. I challenge the whole world to show me any single principle of islam against humanity. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. every where according to CNN report 20,000. accepts islam in USA only. There are black sheeps in every society. Islam shouldn’d be blamed for it. There are people who call themselves muslim but they know nothing what their religion teaches. Its the media which has potraited islam bad. I am a student of comparative religions. I know christianity , judaism buddhism and hindhuism. I have read their scriptures. I am willing to talk abou it.
May i know something. IS AFGHANISTAN IN CENTRAL ASIA ????