Islam in Tajikistan

Islam in Tajikistan

ByEditorial Team

Tajikistan is a country in Central Asia where Islam deeply influences its culture. Over 97.5% of the people follow Islam. This faith shapes the nation’s history, traditions, and social life.

The majority of Tajikistan’s Muslims are Sunni, making up 96% of the population. But, a small minority in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) are Ismaili Shia Muslims. This shows the rich diversity of Tajik culture and heritage.

Islam has been important in Tajikistan since the 7th century, when Arabs introduced it. Even when the Soviet regime tried to remove Islamic traditions, the people kept their faith. In the late 1980s, as Tajikistan became independent, religious practices began to flourish again.

Islam in Tajikistan: An Overview

Demographics and Historical Background

Islam is the main religion in Tajikistan, with most people being Sunni Muslim. About 95% of Tajik citizens are Sunni, and 3% are Shia, mostly in Badakhshan. This history of Islam in Tajikistan goes back to the 7th century, when Arabs brought it to the region.

The Spread of Islam in Central Asia

The Samanid Empire was key in spreading Islam and Persian culture in Central Asia. Ismail Samani, the founder of the Tajik nation, supported Islamic missions. This helped many in Central Asia, including Tajikistan, adopt Islam, especially in Taraz, Kazakhstan.

After the Soviet era, Tajikistan saw a rise in religious practices. This shows how important faith is in Tajik culture and identity.

“Islam has been the predominant religion in Tajikistan since the 7th century, when it was introduced to the region by the Arabs.”

Sunni Islam: The Predominant Branch

Sunni Islam, following the Hanafi school, has a rich history in Tajikistan. It has been present for over 1,200 years among the people of Central Asia, including the Tajiks. This branch of Islam makes up about 95% of the country’s Muslim population.

Hanafi School and Sufi Traditions

The Sunni Hanafite legal school is followed by most Muslims in Central Asia, including Tajikistan. Sufism, a form of Islamic mysticism, is also common in the country. The Naqshbandiyya Sufi order, found in India and Malaysia, is especially popular here.

Other Sufi orders like the Kubravia, Kadiria, and Yasaviya also exist in Tajikistan. These traditions have mixed with local beliefs, such as the respect for mazors (holy places) and Zoroastrian symbols. This shows how Sufism and local beliefs peacefully coexist.

“Shamans, known as parikhon and folbin, are prominent in Tajikistan and often combine practices with clerics, reflecting a peaceful coexistence between them.”

The Sunni Hanafi school and Sufi traditions have greatly influenced Tajikistan’s religious scene. They help make Sunni Islam in Tajikistan diverse and peaceful.

Shia Islam: The Ismaili Minority

In Tajikistan, Sunni Islam is the main branch, but a small group, the Pamiris, follow Shia Islam’s Nizari Ismailism. This Shia branch started in Central Asia in the early 10th century. Despite long-term persecution, Ismailism has thrived in the Pamir Mountains. The Pamiris look up to the Aga Khan as their spiritual leader.

The Pew Research Center says over 400,000 Shia Muslims live in Tajikistan, making up about 7% of the population. The Ismaili Shia are a small part of the Muslim community in the country. Most of them live in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in eastern Tajikistan.

“The Pamiri minority in Tajikistan, primarily practicing the Shia Ismaili branch of Islam, faces systemic discrimination, suppression of cultural and religious institutions, and political oppression by the central authorities in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO).”

The government in Tajikistan has targeted people linked to banned groups, including those with Islamic goals. The Pamiri minority, especially the Ismailis, face a lot of discrimination. They are often kept out of important jobs and are regularly arrested, tortured, and mistreated by the security forces.

Despite these obstacles, the Ismaili community in Tajikistan holds onto its unique culture and faith. The Aga Khan’s efforts in humanitarian and development help support the Pamiri people greatly.

Islamic Practices and Cultural Integration

Islam is deeply rooted in Tajik culture. It plays a big role in the lives of people in both cities and villages. For some, Islam is more than a religion; it’s a key part of their cultural heritage. It’s also important in the views of some Tajik intellectuals.

Mosques and Religious Observances

Mosques and acts like fasting in Ramadan are key in Tajikistan. Tajiks keep their Islamic traditions alive through folk Islam, Sufism, local cults, and holy sites. These practices help keep the country’s Islamic heritage and cultural identity strong.

Islam’s Influence on Tajik Culture

The impact of Islamic practices in Tajikistan is seen in many areas of life. It shapes the country’s cultural identity. From art and buildings to family customs and social rules, Islam’s influence on Tajik culture is clear. It mixes Islamic heritage with national identity in a unique way.

“Islam has become an integral part of Tajik culture, transcending its religious boundaries and becoming a fundamental aspect of the Tajik people’s way of life.”

The Hanafi madhhab, a traditional Islamic school, is almost seen as the official religious movement in Tajikistan. This shows how strong Islamic practices in Tajikistan are. The bond between Islam and Tajik culture influences the country’s social, political, and cultural life.

Soviet Era and the Suppression of Islam

During the Soviet era, the government tried hard to get rid of Islam in Tajikistan. The worst anti-religious campaigns happened from the late 1920s to the late 1930s. The Soviets wanted to suppress Islam and persecute Muslims.

Many Muslim leaders were killed. Religious teachings and practices were greatly limited.

But, Islam stayed a big part of the Tajiks’ and other Muslim peoples’ lives in Tajikistan. Even through tough times, Islam kept its place. People found ways to keep their faith alive, like through Sufism and local cults.

Islam Under Soviet Rule

In 1941, the Soviet Union officially recognized Islam. They set up the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Central Asia and Kazakhstan (SADUM) in Tashkent. This represented 75% of all Soviet Muslims.

But, the number of mosques dropped from 26,000 in 1912 to over a thousand by 1941. This shows how much fewer places of worship there were under Soviet rule.

The Babakhan dynasty ruled SADUM for three generations. They brought in new ideas of Islam, mixing Hanafite Islam with other schools. Ziyauddin Babakhan, who became the supreme mufti in 1957, helped bring different Islamic views together.

Even with persecution of Muslims and suppression of Islam, the religion was still big in the USSR. About 90% of Muslims were Sunni, and 10% were Shia. Six Union Republics had Muslim-majority populations, including the Tajik SSR.

Post-Soviet Revival and Renaissance

The Soviet Union’s fall in 1991 was a big change for Islam in Tajikistan. With independence, religious practices grew, and Post-Soviet Islam saw a revival. The Muslim Board of Central Asia lost its grip, and Dushanbe got its own seminary.

The Islamic Rebirth Party (IRPT), started in 1990, became a big player. It was the second-largest party and the only Islamic one in Central Asia. Its popularity soared with the post-Soviet religious revival and its strong grassroots support.

But, the party’s power has waned lately. In 2015, the Tajik government told the IRPT to stop all activities. They said it was because of links to Islamic extremist groups. Many saw this as a move to control political Islam and keep the government strong against nationalism and demands for democracy.

“Once the IRPT is gone, it may be many years before another legally registered Islamic political party emerges in Tajikistan or Central Asia.”

The IRPT’s end has worried about Post-Soviet Islam in Tajikistan and Muslim communities‘ political voice. The government’s action has been slammed by international groups. They worry it could limit religious freedom and democracy in the country.

Tajikistan faces a tough time with Post-Soviet Islam. It must balance its religious and political diversity while protecting citizens’ rights. The Muslim Board of Central Asia and other religious groups are key to shaping Islam’s future in Tajikistan and the region.

Contemporary Challenges and Restrictions

Tajikistan, a nation mostly Sunni Muslim, faces challenges in religious freedom. The government has tightened control over Islamic activities. This has led to a crackdown on religious institutions and practices.

Mosque Closures and Regulations

In recent years, the Tajik government closed hundreds of mosques. Some were demolished, others turned into different facilities. Locals see this as a move against Islam.

The government also put new rules in place. Women can’t enter mosques, and kids can’t join religious activities, except at funerals.

This has worried the Hanafi Sunni Muslim majority, who are about 95% of Muslims in Tajikistan. The government’s control has made fewer people wear traditional Islamic clothes. This has increased tensions between the state and religious groups.

“The government’s campaign to control Islamic influence has led to a notable decrease in individuals wearing Islamic attire not traditionally seen in Tajikistan, such as the solid-colored black or brown hijabs.”

Human rights groups, both local and international, have criticized the government. They worry about the suppression of religious freedom. They fear it could lead to more radicalization.

Tajikistan is struggling with balancing national security and religious freedom. This is a complex issue. It affects the country’s social and political stability.

The Role of Islamic Education

In Tajikistan, Islamic education is a topic of debate. The government has set rules, like banning headscarves in secular schools. They worry that too much time in mosques might hurt mainstream education.

Yet, the post-Soviet era has seen new Islamic schools open, like the one in Dushanbe. This has helped Tajikistan not rely so much on Uzbekistan’s seminaries anymore.

The government has created a “Knowledge of Islam” course for eighth-graders. It’s a weekly, one-hour class. It teaches about Islam’s history, principles, and its view on science and knowledge.

This course has caused some controversy. Some say only Islamic clerics should teach it. But the government wants a mix of secular and Islamic scholars. They aim to keep out extremist ideas.

The role of Islamic education in Tajikistan is changing. The country is trying to find a balance between secular and religious learning. The debate on Islamic education’s place in schools is still ongoing.

Sufism and Mystical Traditions in Tajikistan

Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, has been key in keeping Islam alive in Tajikistan. The Naqshbandiyya order is the most well-known Sufi tradition here. It has followers in places like India and Malaysia.

Other forms of Islam in Tajikistan include local cults and sacred sites. These are led by individuals known for their deep religious knowledge or personal qualities.

The Naqshbandiyya Sufi order is very important in Tajik culture. Its followers do emotive rituals like zikr. During these rituals, they weep, sweat, and tremble.

These Sufi collaborators see their tradition as different from other Islamic practices. They believe it shows their unique cultural identity.

“The author recounts Sufi collaborators weeping, sweating, and trembling during zikr performances, illustrating the emotive nature of the rituals.”

But Sufism in Tajikistan faces challenges and restrictions. The government has rules like shaving beards and limiting certain names for children. They also require specific clothes for pilgrims to Mecca.

Despite these challenges, Sufism and other Mystical traditions are still strong in Tajikistan. They show the country’s Islamic heritage is resilient and adaptable. These practices are a big part of Tajik culture, shaping its unique identity.

Islam in Tajikistan: Diversity and Coexistence

In Tajikistan, Islam faces challenges but remains diverse. Sunni Islam is the main branch, with about 95% of the people. But, Ismaili Shia and Sufi orders also flourish, especially in the Pamir region. This shows the Tajik people’s strong will to keep their cultural heritage alive.

The government tries to control religion, but many Tajiks resist. They see Islam as a key part of who they are. The Hanafite school of Islam is important here. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 also helped Islamic institutions grow. Yet, fewer people learn about religion in school, and mosques face limits. These issues make it hard to keep Tajikistan’s Islamic heritage alive.

Despite these problems, Tajikistan’s Islamic community gets along well. There are no fights because of religion or ethnicity. For example, Ismaili Shia people can marry those from other Islamic groups without trouble. This shows the strength and flexibility of Tajikistan’s Islamic diversity.

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