Constructing Kyrgyz Islam: From Non-Interference Politics to Nationalisation

Abstract

The process of development of Islam in Kyrgyzstan has undergone important changes in the last few years. While in the first two decades of independence religious affairs were little, if at all, regulated by the state, current tendencies speak of direct involvement of the state into the process of constructing a new identity on national level – the Kyrgyz Islam. This study focuses on examining the process of nationalisation of Islam in Kyrgyzstan, its causes and dimensions. Among other things, it gives a critical insight on the issue, by challenging the environment of securitisation in which this issue arises.