Religion and State in Central Asia: A Comparative Regional Approach

Abstract

This article analyzes Islamization process occurred in the five central Asian countries after their separation from Soviet Union in 1991, and ambivalent way in which authoritarian states reacted to this phenomenon to use it for political purposes and, at the same time, controlling its alleged subversive potencial. In this sense, article intends to demostrated that, with its particular nuances in each case, religion-State relationship after 1991 has been determinated by a triple contradiction between, first, the growing Islamic resurgence at societal level and states interest for using part of that religios simbolic capital to legitimize political regimes and prop up new national identities; second, between states' need to differentiate themselves from their former Soviet identity and their continuity attitude regarding power excersice and religion perception; and third, between states authoritarian nature, interested in excercising strict control over religius sphere, and the emergence of religius activism opposed to intervencionist and repressive governments policies, including the most radical forms of violent radicalism.