The Areas of Activation of Islamic Fundamental Movements in the post-soviet Central Asian states

This article deals with the problem of radical Islam in the Fergana valley. Main characteristics of the region and the factors that contribute to the spread of extremist religious movements have been identified and described by the authors. The region that already has a high potential for confliction because of unresolved inter-state, inter-ethnic issues is a storm center of radical religious movements’ development. The revival of Islam has predetermined its further politicization, and then because of objective and subjective reasons its radicalization. The processes of re-islamization typical for Central Asian countries in the late twentieth century, accompanied by attempts of the leaders to get the support of the population. Radical Islam, in turn, became widespread in the territory of neighboring countries, in particular the Russian Federation. Thus, it should be noted that improper treatment of the foundations of traditional Islam, the spread of radical ideas represent a threat to stability and security not only at national but also at regional and global levels. Causes of the radical extremist movements, as well as increasing number of followers of these organizations in the Fergana Valley are important part of the article. The authors of the paper have assessed the activities of Islamic movements in the three countries of the Central Asian region, as well as a comparative analysis of the situation in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been provided. The article presents the differences in the approaches and methods of struggling of the governments of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan against nonconformist religious movements. The main conclusion of the article is the recognition of the diversity within the accepted approaches of neighboring states to solve the problem of radical Islamist movements. The article notes the high probability of downfall of the “fragile stability” that occurred in the Ferghana Valley.

Religious extremism, radical Islam, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan