Radical Islam in Kyrgyzstan

10.33876/2311-0546/2024-4/205-216

Abstract

In the last approximately 10–15 years or so, the tendencies towards radical Islamization of Kyrgyzstan have intensified, although it is not so much the Kyrgyz as the Uzbeks and Uighurs who are more susceptible to it. However, the process is gaining momentum among the Kyrgyz as well. There are several reasons for this: socio-economic problems, insufficient work with the population of traditional Islamic structures, the process of flow from the south to the north, in relation to Kyrgyzstan, expressed in the departure of the European population and the influx of visitors from more southern states, including carriers of radical Islam. Among the latter, immigrants from Pakistan are the most active, but missionaries from the Persian Gulf and Turkey are active too. Among other things, many political parties of Kyrgyzstan, some of which directly call for the abolition of the constitutional norm on the secular nature of the Kyrgyz state, have begun to actively cooperate with radical Islamists. Christian religious structures also do not work enough with the titular population of Kyrgyzstan, either because of unwillingness to work (Orthodox), or because of the negative attitude of the authorities (Protestants). In the latter case, it is necessary to point out some laws of Kyrgyzstan that do not strike at Islamic radicals, against whom they seem to be aimed, but just at those who could resist them. Nevertheless, the situation does not seem hopeless yet and can be corrected.