The New Face of Political Islam in Central Asia: The Rise of Islamo-democrats. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karagiannis, Emmanuel
• Is Part Of: Journal of Muslim minority affairs. Volume 36:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Muslims -- Non-Muslim countries -- Periodicals; Islam -- Periodicals; Religious minorities -- Periodicals; 305.6971
• DOI: 10.1080/13602004.2016.1180888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-2004

Abstract

Abstract: Political Islam in Central Asia is currently undergoing a transitional phase. Radical groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Hizb ut-Tahrir no longer monopolize the Islamist scene. There is now a new generation of Islamist leaders in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan that advocate a public role for Islam without seeking regime change. They can be called Islamo-democrats because they participate in elections and recognize the constitutional process. The article will examine and compare the biography, political career, and beliefs of three representatives of this political trend: Tursunbai Bakir Uulu, Bekbolat Tleukhan, and Mohiddin Kabiri. It will claim that the emergence of Islamo-democrats is partly the result of developments in Turkey, especially the rise to power of the Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi . Two factors account for the Turkish influence in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan: the successful diffusion of ideological norms and the importance that governments attach to maintaining good relations with Turkey.