Islam Without a Veil: Kazakhstan's Path of ModerationPotomac Books, Inc., 2011 - 220 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
The New End Game in Central Asia | |
Economy First Politics Second | |
Shaking Things | |
The Terror Threat and Reasons for Concern | |
Kazakhstans Role in Shaping Central Asia | |
Can Democracy and Islam Coexist? | |
A Conversation with a Salafi | |
Notes | |
Is a Middle East and Central Asia Economic Common Market Possible? | |
Changin Times | |
Conclusion | |
The Road to Moderation | |
Islam and Modernization | |
The Kazakhstan Experiment | |
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Afghanistan al-Qaida Allah Almaty Arab world Asian asked Astana Atatürk attacks become believe border caliphate Catholic Center Central Asia Christians coexist Communism Communist conflict conservative continue country’s cultures democracy democratic economic ethnic Europe example extremists face of Islam fact fighting foreign former Soviet gates of Ijtihad Holy human rights Ijtihad imam interfaith Iran Iraq Islamist groups Islamophobia issue jihad Kanat Saudabayev Kazakh Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Laden leaders live look major means Middle East modern mosque movement Muslim countries Muslim world nation nuclear Nursultan Nazarbayev OSCE Palestinian parties peace political President Nazarbayev preventing terrorism problems Prophet question Quran radical reform region religion religious remain republics Russia Salafi Saudi Arabia scholars secular society Soviet Union Sufism Sunni Sunni Islam Takfiris Taliban terrorists threat of terrorism today’s traditional Turkey understanding United Uzbekistan violence Washington weapons West Western word Yusef