Islam after Communism: Religion and Politics in Central Asia

Islam after Communism examines the complex relationship between religion, politics, and national identity in post-Soviet Central Asia. The book focuses on how Islamic practices and beliefs transformed during and after seven decades of Soviet rule in the region. Through analysis of historical documents and field research, Khalid traces how Soviet policies impacted religious institutions and cultural traditions in Central Asian republics. The narrative covers the period from the early 20th century through the post-independence era of the 1990s and early 2000s. The book explores how different groups - from government officials to religious leaders to ordinary citizens - navigated Islam's role in society during times of dramatic political change. Khalid examines specific cases from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to illustrate broader regional patterns. This work challenges common assumptions about Islam in Central Asia by highlighting the diverse ways religion intersects with modernization, nationalism, and state power. The analysis reveals how Soviet-era transformations continue to influence contemporary debates about Islam's place in Central Asian society and politics.

Readers value this book as a focused examination of Islam's role in Central Asia before, during, and after Soviet rule. Many reviewers highlight Khalid's clear analysis of how Soviet policies shaped modern Islamic practices in the region. Readers appreciate: - Detailed historical context - Accessible writing for non-specialists - Challenge to Western assumptions about Islam in the region - Strong source material and research Common criticisms: - Limited coverage of certain countries (mainly focuses on Uzbekistan) - Some sections feel repetitive - Could include more analysis of current religious movements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads noted: "Excellent primer on the development of Islam in Central Asia and its relationship with identity formation." An Amazon reviewer criticized: "Too much focus on political aspects rather than religious practices and beliefs."

Sacred Russia, Secular Russia: Religion, Identity, and Politics after Communism by Irina Papkova An examination of post-Soviet religious revival and its impact on Russian politics, institutions, and national identity.

The New Central Asia: The Creation of Nations by Olivier Roy This analysis traces how Soviet policies shaped modern Central Asian states and their relationship with Islam.

Faith and Power: Religion and Politics in the Middle East by Bernard Lewis A historical survey of the intersection between religious authority and state power in Muslim societies from the classical period to modern times.

Muslims in Central Asia: Expressions of Identity and Change by Jo-Ann Gross An investigation of how Central Asian Muslims maintained and transformed their religious practices during and after Soviet rule.

Religion and Politics in Russia: A Reader by Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer A compilation of research examining the complex relationship between Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and political power in post-Soviet Russia.

🌟 Prior to writing this book, author Adeeb Khalid spent over a decade conducting research in newly opened archives across Central Asia and Russia, accessing previously unavailable Soviet-era documents. 🕌 During the Soviet period (1917-1991), an estimated 26,000 mosques in Central Asia were closed, destroyed, or repurposed as theaters, warehouses, and Communist Party offices. 📚 Khalid's work reveals that rather than completely suppressing Islam, Soviet policies transformed it by creating a new class of state-approved religious leaders who helped shape a distinctly "Soviet Islam." 🗺️ The book covers five modern Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—examining how each developed different relationships with Islam after gaining independence. 🎓 The author teaches at Carleton College and is one of the few Western scholars who can read sources in Uzbek, Russian, and Persian, allowing him to provide uniquely comprehensive insights into Central Asian Islamic history.