Tag
Islam in Central Asia
Chess, Culture, and Controversy: Uzbek Grandmaster’s Handshake Refusal Sparks Debate
By Niginakhon Saida
Islamic practices in Uzbekistan, after enduring seven decades of Soviet-imposed atheism, are now being increasingly adopted by the younger generation.
Central Asia’s War on Hijab
By Niginakhon Saida and Svetlana Dzardanova
As Central Asian governments tighten restrictions on the hijab in the name of upholding secularism, devout Muslim women find themselves forced to navigate an increasingly difficult choice between their faith and the law.
Uzbekistan’s Tightrope Between Individual Religious Expression and Secular Governance
By Niginakhon Saida
As Islamic practices rise in Uzbekistan, authorities do their best to maintain a secular public sphere.
Why Are Women Forbidden From Wearing Hijab In Uzbekistan’s Schools?
By Gulnoz Mamarasulova
As the next school year approaches, it seems some officials are trying to pressure teachers and students to uncover. It’s a violation of their rights.
New Amendments Target Parents Seeking Islamic Education for Children in Uzbekistan
By Niginakhon Saida
If enacted, a new draft law will add fines and possible jail time for parents that seek illegal Islamic education for their children.
How Authoritarian Oppression Breeds Religious Extremism in Central Asia
By Kashif Hasan Khan and Marin Ekstrom
The overwhelmingly authoritarian governments in Central Asia have utilized severe repression against Islamist movements – extremist or not.
What’s Behind Central Asia’s Umrah Fever?
By Niginakhon Saida
As long as people have limited opportunities in the socioeconomic and political arenas, and adherence to a religious lifestyle is restricted, pilgrimages will remain as an accessible means of self-fulfillment.
Uzbekistan’s Imams Stand in Solidarity With Palestine, Caution Against Propaganda
By Niginakhon Saida
Solidarity with and concerns about Palestine are not a new development among Uzbeks, but there have been a variety of responses to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
How Is the Israel-Hamas War Being Framed in Central Asia?
By Colleen Wood
Journalists, influencers, and religious teachers are using social media to inform Central Asians about the Israel-Hamas war.
Measuring the Power and Legitimacy of Uzbekistan’s Islamic Leaders
By Niginakhon Saida
The popularity of religious figures in Uzbekistan is tied to their legitimacy, itself derived from their formal positions within government-affiliated religious institutions.
The Hujra Phenomenon: How Do Uzbekistan’s Children Learn About Islam?
By Niginakhon Saida
The apparently increasing number of hujra, clandestine religious classrooms, in Uzbekistan indicates a growing need for formal religious education that is not attainable for many at present.
It’s Karimov Era 2.0 for Muslims in Uzbekistan
By Madina Amin
A new wave of arrests in Uzbekistan have centered on religious lectures, songs, and social media posts, calling up memories of the not-so-distant Karimov era.
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