Trying to Ease Tensions Within and Without

Moscow's relationship with the Muslim world and majority Muslim neighbours is a sensitive one, as the war in Chechnya has demonstrated. Hermann Krause looked into Russia's relationship with Islam

Russia has a wide range of neighbours, for whom Islam is the predominant religion. Like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, which are also all republics of the former Soviet Union.

There is a lot of concern in Moscow that extremist Islamic militants could push into Russia from one of these states. The conflict in Chechnya has shown that along with territorial and national motives, religion also plays an important role in such situations.

And that's why Russia's president, Vladimir Putin publicly announced efforts to improve the relationship with Muslims at home.

"I would like to congratulate you, and all Muslims," says the President. "I wish you luck and well-being. I know that in your prayers and sermons, you always return to the roots of Islam, which, like all religion, is based on good values. On the belief in good."

Stalin's nationalism policy

The history of Muslims in the former Soviet Union is closely tied with Stalin's nationalism policy. The October Revolution of 1917 was followed by a civil war, in which almost all the Caucasus nations opposed Russia, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Later, in retribution, Stalin created dozens of small autonomous republics, and set about playing the people off against each other.

Later still, hundreds of thousands of Caucasus citizens were deported for allegedly collaborating with German troops during the Second World War. Some ten thousand died in detention camps in Siberia.

It was only under President Mikhail Gorbachev that the Muslims regained their rights, for example, they were once again allowed to join the communist party.

Islam and rebellion

When the Soviet Union dissolved, some republics took advantage of the opportunity to form their own independent states. They were ruled by former party bosses, who often turned out to be dictators. Since then, Islam has regularly been used as a basis for uprisings against these dictators. Such is the case in Uzbekistan, says Russian political scientist Vatcheslav Nikonov from the 'Politika' institute.

"In Uzbekistan we mostly have a problem with provocation from Islamic groups," Nikonov says. "Extremists who have fanned the flames of unresolved social problems in Fergana Valley, for example. Problems like poverty, as well as national and ethnic issues."

Muslims as a major minority in Russia

In Uzbekistan, the state cracks down on unofficial Islamic groups with heavy-handed violence. And in Azerbaijan the opposition is repressed. Along its border with Iran, poverty is rife, a breeding ground for extremist Islamic groups.

Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, sees Russia as a predominantly orthodox Christian country. But a Muslim minority of 20 million cannot be ignored. And this is why Putin is trying to develop friendlier relationships with Muslims, both within and outside of Russia. Towards Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and even Iran.

Hermann Krause

Qantara.de

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