Muslims of Post-Communist Eurasia

This book explores the evolution of state governance of Islam and the local Muslims' rediscovery of their 'Muslimness' across post-communist Eurasia. It examines the effects of the political and ideological divergence of Central and South-Eastern Europe from Russia and most of the Caucasus and Central Asia on the Islamic scene. It also discusses the proliferation of new, 'global interpretations of Islam and their relationship with existing 'traditional Islamic beliefs and practices. The contributions in this book address these issues through an interdisciplinary prism, combining history, religious studies/theology, social anthropology, sociology, ethnology, and political science.

Format: Hardback
Length: 342 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate evolution of state governance within the context of Islam across post-communist Eurasia. It explores the profound ways in which local Muslims have rediscovered their identity and sense of belonging as 'Muslims' in this diverse region. The author examines the impact of the political and ideological divergence between Central and South-Eastern Europe, Russia, and most of the Caucasus and Central Asia on the Islamic landscape. Of particular interest is the examination of the proliferation of new global interpretations of Islam and their complex relationship with established traditional Islamic beliefs and practices.

The contributions in this book offer a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from history, religious studies/theology, social anthropology, sociology, ethnology, and political science. They analyze the increasing public presence of Islam in constitutionally secular contexts and provide a critical assessment of the domestication and accommodation of Islam in Europe. This comparative analysis is informed by the insights of renowned thinkers such as Talal Asad, Bryan Turner, Veit Bader, Marcel Maussen, and Bassam Tibi. The book utilizes primary and secondary sources, as well as ethnographic observation, to shed light on the evolving dynamics of Muslim identity and community in a globalized Islamic context.

This book will appeal to scholars and researchers in the fields of Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology, as it provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between state governance, cultural identity, and religious practices in post-communist Eurasia. It offers valuable insights into the ways in which individuals and communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of living in a pluralistic and interconnected world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367545154