Islam in Central Asia - Tapa dura

Islam in Central Asia examines the Islamic states in this area before, during, and after the Russian conquest, detailing the changes which occurred during the Russian colonialist era and the dramatic upheavals brought about by the subsequent 1917 revolution. The plight of Muslims under Stalin's regime is also recounted, as is their role in the USSR during the Afghan War, including active opposition to the Russian policy in Afghanistan.
The policy of Islam and Muslims under the Communist regime, the recent renaissance of Islamic culture in the region, and the influence of Islam in politics during the break-up of the USSR are also discussed. The book concludes with a look to the future, evaluating the position of the emergent Muslim states in Central Asia, and their relationship to the new Russian state.

Alexei Malashenko is a senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies.