Abstract:

The administrative politics and public policies of the Central Asian Republics were directed from Moscow during the time of USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). The formation of the Central Asian Republics, whose populations were Muslims, followed a gradual historical process, in which religion had its share. However, on the grounds that the imams (religious leaders) helped to raise public awareness of unified struggle, bans were placed on religious activities and institutions in 1928 and they continued until 1943. During WW II, Muslims of the Central Asian Republics wrote a letter to Stalin and the bans on the religious institutions were lifted. At that time, the imams (religious leaders) raised public awareness and collected more than 1 million ruble to spend for the war. In addition, Religious Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia (OAKMDİ) and Kazakhstan based on Tashkent was established during that period. OAKMDİ lasted until the Central Asian Republics gained their independence. However, after the independence, the structure of religious affairs and religion-state relationship continued as in the time of USSR. The conception of public affairs and structure in the communist period remained the same in what was then a democratic regime. The institutional structures and functioning of the Muslim societies the Central Asian Republics did not change much. The chief reason for that was that those occupying active administrative and political positions were educated in the communist system. Within this context, this study deals with the characteristics of the religion politics of the state in Kyrgyzstan and the religious structures after Kyrgyzstan gained its independence.

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