Shirin Akiner,  “Religion’s Gap:  Islam and Central Asia in the 1990s”
 
In the West, most fear rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Central Asia
Argue that the “Islamic factor” is key to politics there

But, evidence that fundamentalism actually rare in Central Asia

Changes in religious practice:
Turkmenistan had only 4 mosques open for worship in the 1980s
Over 180 by 1994
Uzbekistan, number rose from 300 to 5,000 in same period
More Muslim schools and courses opened
Congregational membership swelled but attendance soon dropped

Thus, sharp uptick in worshipping, followed by decline

Also increases in pilgrimages (expenses paid by Saudi monarchy in early 90s and in 1999)

Also increasing numbers of Christian and other missionaries in CARs
 
Akiner distinguishes among three kinds of Islam in Central Asia:
Traditional, Government Sponsored, and Purist
 

Traditional Islam
Islam as an ethnic definition, source of traditions
Used to preserve cultural continuity
 

Government Sponsored Islam
Co-opting religion to serve the needs of the state
Islam elevated to state ideology, integral component of national heritage, ethical foundation of the state

Uzbekistan and Kygrystan: presidents swore oaths of office on both constitutions and the Qu’ran

All the CAR joined the Organization for Islamic Conference (org of predominately Islamic states)

Kazakstan:  Pres Nazarbayev first eschewed, the embraced pro-Islamic stance
“We are Sunni Muslims and must follow this path.”

Hanafi school of jurisprudence, but Akiner says there is “no question of introducing elements of shari’a law into the legal framework of the state.”

Political parties espousing religious orientation are proscribed everywhere but Tajikistan

Leaders distinguish between “good Islam” as positive state-building identity and “bad Islam” of Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Yet, “bad Islam” a definite possibility where one Uzbek academic states:  “Islam in Uzbekistan will be what the president wants it to be.”

Authorities force ulema (Muslim clerics) to register with them; keep an eye on their activities, following

 
Purist Islam
Collectively referred to, disparagingly, as Wahhabis

Relatively new, scarcely mentioned before 1995

Most in Uzbekistan, but some in Tajikistan, S. Kyrgyzstan and S. Kazakhstan

 The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
 Khalifatchilar (Kaliphate Supporters)
 Hezb-e Tahrir (Liberation or Correction Party)
 Akromiya (after founder Akrom Yuldashev)

Accused, especially in Uzbekistan, of plotting to overthrow government
Assassination attempt on Pres. Karimov, Feb. 16, 1999, immediately blamed on “Islamic fundamentalists” without evidence; Other opposition parties also accused.