SOVYET KAZAKİSTAN’INDA TASAVVUF: KOMÜNİSTLERİN YESEVİLİK VE İŞANLARA YÖNELİK FAALİYETİ

Abstract

The present study examines the position of the state in relation to Sufism, including Yassawism and Ishanism in the Kazakh SSR. Hence, it will discuss the difficulties and pressure faced by the ishan and the koja as well as their children, namely those living mainly in the southern region of the Kazakh SSR. Archival documents and memoirs-recordings of the children of the ishan and the koja have been used as a primary source, and secondary sources were used when the former were insufficient. The Soviet Union took a harsh stance against Yassawism and Ishanism, which can be seen as the traditional Islam practiced by the people. Although the atheistic attitude of the state towards the ishan and the koja has never changed, it can be said that the religion policy of the state constantly changed due to political reasons. In general, the direct actual attack on Yassawism and Ishanism occurred twice during the Soviet period. It can be argued that the mass oppression against the ishan and the koja was not in general as harsh as it was during the two periods mentioned, even though constant attacks and propaganda against Sufism persisted. The main reason why the Bolsheviks aimed to abolish Sufism was that it was an obstacle to the formation of an atheistic society. Islam, including its Yassawi and Ishan forms, was not only a matter of people’s faith, but also a matter of culture because the traditions of mysticism were connected with the customs and traditions of the people. Therefore, the Bolsheviks were aware of the fact that religion could not be destroyed without destroying the Sufi traditions. As a result, the state attacked Yassawism and Ishanism from various directions and inflicted great damage on them. This article will refer to the activities of the Bolsheviks in this direction and attempt tı show whether they achieved their ultimate goals in a detailed way.

Keywords

• yassawism
• soviet kazakhstan
• religious politics
• atheism
• islam
• sufism
• ishanism