Institutions of the Muslim Community of the Simbirsk – Ulyanovsk Volga Region During the 1920–1930s

Abstract

The article discusses de-institutionalization of the Muslim community of the Simbirsk - Ulyanovsk Volga region in 1920-1930s. This process took place as a result of the antireligious policies of the Soviet state. A retrospective assessment of the pace and extent of deinstitutionalization is addressed in the article. Territorial and administrative changes, changes in the number of mosques, religious schools and representatives of the Muslim clergy from 1917 until the end of 1930s is analyzed. The article is written on the basis of office documents from the State Archive of the Ulyanovsk Region and the State Archive of Recent History of the Ulyanovsk Region. The author concludes that the de-institutionalization of the Muslim community in the Simbirsk – Ulyanovsk Volga region was asynchronous. Muslim schools ceased their activities in the beginning of 1930s. More than half of mosques in the region were closed by the early 1940s. Muslim clergy was subjected to various forms of socio-legal discrimination, and in the post-war period only a few were able to resume professional religious activities.The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.