Islam in Turkmenistan: Tradition and Modernity 🌍
Definition and Meaning
“Islam in Turkmenistan” refers to the religious landscape where roughly 89% of the population adheres to Sunni Islam, with a minority (9%) practicing Orthodox Christianity. This demographic reality is shaped substantially by history, politics, and ongoing cultural dynamics.
Etymology and Background
The term “Islam” derived from the Arabic root “s-l-m,” meaning peace and submission. The word signifies complete submission to the will of Allah. “Turkmenistan” is rooted in “Türkmen,” referring to the Turkmen people, and “stan,” Persian for “land.”
Historical Facts and Dates
- 7th Century CE: Islam reaches the Turkmen region through Arab conquests.
- 19th Century: Russian Empire controls Central Asia, marginalizing Islam.
- October 1991: Turkmenistan gains independence from Soviet rule.
Soviet Influence on Islam
During the Soviet era, institutionalized Islam was highly regulated and controlled by the state, aiming to undermine religious authority. Nonetheless, popular Islam, centered around Sufi saints’ tombs and other holy places, continued to flourish clandestinely.
Upon the Soviet collapse, Hajji Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah registered the Kaziate Administration of Turkmenistani Muslims with the Turkmen Ministry of Justice, signaling a new era for Sunni Islam in the country. This body holds juridical power, and cooperation exists between law enforcement officials and religious representatives.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
- Turkmenistan vs. Other Muslim Countries: The practice of Islam in Turkmenistan uniquely incorporates local customs and the veneration of Sufi saints.
- Inner Cultural Comparisons: Pre-and post-Soviet Islam in Turkmenistan witnesses significant shifts from private, underground practices to public religious expressions.
Synonyms
- Turkmen Sunni Islam
- Sufi Islam in Turkmenistan
- Post-Soviet Turkmen Islam
Antonyms
- Secularism in Turkmenistan
- Atheism in Turkmenistan
Related Terms
- Sunni Islam: The branch of Islam to which the majority of Turkmen adhere.
- Definition: Emphasizes the role of community consensus and traditional practices.
- Sufism: A mystical Islamic belief system prevalent in Turkmenistan.
- Definition: Focuses on the inward search for God and the direct experience of divine love and knowledge.
- Soviet Influence: The period during which institutionalized Islam was controlled by the Soviet government.
- Definition: The secular and often atheistic policies implemented to suppress religious practice.
Quotes from Notable Writers
“One may conquer millions of men in battle; but the man who conquers himself is the greatest of conquerors.” - Attributed to Imam Al-Ghazali, highlighting spirituality’s importance in Islamic philosophy.
Suggested Literature
- “The Turkmen: A Livelihood” by H.E. Kummel (1995)—A broad overview of the society’s cultural and religious dynamics.
- “Sufism and its Influence in Turkmenistan” by A. Ahmedova, Journal of Islamic Studies (2018)—Insight into the Sufi traditions and their roles in daily life and religious practices.
- “Islam after the Soviet Union” by Jane Smith (2003)—A comprehensive guide to understanding the changes in Islamic practices in post-Soviet countries.
Additional Translations
- Arabic: الإسلام في تركمانستان (Al-Islam fi Turkmenistan)
- Urdu: ترکمانستان میں اسلام (Turkmenistan mein Islam)
- Indonesian: Islam di Turkmenistan
- Turkish: Türkmenistan’da İslam
- Persian: اسلام در ترکمنستان (Islam dar Turkmenistan)
Exciting Facts
- The Sufi order of Yasawiyya has deep historical roots in Turkmenistan, influencing various Islamic practices.
- Despite Soviet suppression, Islaminesque arts, poetry, and music thrived underground, subtly preserving religious fervor.
By understanding the unique terrain of Islam in Turkmenistan, one appreciates the resilient spirit and adaptive nature of religious practice, continuously finding ways to flourish even under suppressive regimes.
- Kamila Eshmatov - Embrace the transcendent and the earthly; faith knows no borders.
