Radical Islamic Groups in Contemporary Russia: State Policy and Inner Processes in Muslim Communities

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of Islamic political organizations in the contemporary Russian Federation. Present-day social development does not actually mean that religiosity is vanishing. It simply takes other forms. Moreover, in the early 21st century it is religion that attracts those who tend to join protest movements. So quite often it is Islam in particular that becomes a source of inspiration for such individuals, where they find answers to the most pressing questions of their lives. And unlike traditional forms of religion, Islamic global nets are more mobile, active, modern, and, thus, more attractive to the youth which usually tend to be closer to strong leaders, while the latter are usually formatted within protest religious communities. The Russian state has usually chosen two forms of combating such groups, namely: 1) banning of radical organizations, their literature and a subsequent criminal prosecution and 2) support for offi cial Islamic clergy represented by central and local muftiyats and development of national Islamic educational system. The paper provides certain recommendations on the subject. It concludes the necessity of establishing social and civil platforms where Islamic agenda could be openly discussed. It is as important to create opportunities for broader involvement of Muslims into social life in such spheres as charity, social service and economics. Emphasis should be laid upon the universal aspects that would unite people irrespective of their beliefs and attitudes, e.g. ecology, social order and welfare, morality, intellectual and spiritual development, scientifi c progress with due account of spiritual values. At the same time, it is important for the society to be open in the sphere of religious debates, provide for broad discussions on key topics, such as Khalifate, Jihad, Taqfi r, life of Muslims in secular society, raise more possibilities for initial Islamic education development for those seeking answers in Islam, provide special psychological training for religious leaders who should pay more attention to ordinary Muslims and their daily concerns, relate more information about lives of those who decided to turn from the way of religious radicalism and, thus, apply their experience to prevent further radicalization.

Keywords

• islam
• radicalism
• hizb ut-tahrir
• extremism
• islamic movements