Public Policy and Freedom of Religion: Islam in the Context of Secular Politics in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Kyrgyzstan, a post-Soviet Central Asian state, faces complex dynamics between state policy, religious freedom, and the role of Islam in its secular political structure. Understanding this interplay requires a detailed examination of the country’s historical legacies, geopolitical influences, and changing socio-political landscape. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a turning point for Kyrgyzstan, creating both opportunities and challenges for the newly independent state. The subsequent transition was expected to bring a market economy and democracy similar to the Western model, yet by the mid-1990s the republic appeared to be in a state of economic stagnation and de-democratization as presidential power consolidated. The subsequent years have been characterized by political instability, ethnic tensions, and economic strife, all of which have shaped the context in which Islamic religion and secularism interact.