Understanding ideologies of “radical” Islamic movements in contemporary Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This thesis examines violence potential of such Islamic movements like Tablighi Jamaat, Salafi and Hizb ut-Tahrir based on the study of the connection between religion and violence in their ideologies. In order to understand this connection, the study focuses on 17 qualitative interviews with the members of the above-mentioned movements as well as with the experts representing different areas. The thesis presents a background of the religious situation in the country, by drawing attention to the historical process of Islamization in Kyrgyzstan and peculiarities of the religious situation existing today. General characteristics of the movements under study are discussed as well. The conceptual framework used several key concepts like jihad, peace and peacebuilding in Islam, fundamentalism and arguments developed within the field of Critical Terrorism Studies.