Islam Without a Veil: Kazakhstan's Path of ModerationPotomac Books, Inc., 2011 M06 30 - 228 pages Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia that has been under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev since independence in 1991, has proven that a mostly Muslim nation can be active on the international scene. Its leaders have worked fervently to bridge the ugly schism that has developed since the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent invasions of Arab and Muslim lands byWestern forces. How has Kazakhstan been able to maintain its Muslim heritage yet remain on track toward modernization while other Muslim countries have imposed strict Shari'a law upon their citizens, clamped down on individual freedoms, and persecuted all who do not adhere to the diktat of the ruling theocracy? Claude Salhani examines the successful phenomenon of Kazakhstan today.He looks at the progress it has attained in just two decades since independence. While there is no doubt as to the Muslim identity of the country,Kazakhstan is living proof that there can be a “kinder, gentler” mode of Islam, in which one can live at peace with oneself and with one's neighbors, despite their differences. |
Contents
1 | |
2 Islamophobia | 13 |
3 Kazakhstan Emerges | 21 |
4 The New End Game in Central Asia | 31 |
Economy First Politics Second | 53 |
6 Shaking Things Up | 71 |
7 The Road to Moderation | 87 |
8 Islam and Modernization | 99 |
12 Can Democracy and Islam Coexist? | 149 |
13 A Conversation with a Salafi | 157 |
14 Is a Middle East and Central Asia Economic Common Market Possible? | 167 |
15 Changin Times | 173 |
Conclusion | 179 |
An Interview with Nursultan Nazarbayev President of Kazakhstan | 183 |
Notes | 189 |
Bibliography and Suggested Reading | 197 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Afghanistan al-Qaida Allah Almaty Arab world Asian Astana Atatürk attacks become believe caliphate Catholic Center Central Asia Christians Communism Communist conflict country’s cultures democracy democratic economic ethnic Europe example extremists face of Islam fact fighting foreign gates of Ijtihad human rights Ijtihad imam intentionally left blank interfaith Iran Iraq Islam in Kazakhstan Islamist groups Islamophobia Israel issue Kanat Saudabayev Kazakh Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Laden leaders live look major means Middle East modern Moscow mosque movement Muslim countries Muslim world nation neighbors nuclear Nursultan Nazarbayev organizations OSCE Pakistan Palestinian Party peace percent political President Nazarbayev problems Prophet question Quran reform region religion religious remain Russia Salafi Saudabayev Saudi Arabia scholars sharia Shiite society Soviet Union stan Sufism Sunni Takfiris Taliban terrorist threat of terrorism tion today’s traditional Turkey turn understanding United Uzbekistan violence Washington West Western Yusef zakhstan