religion and state in central asia: a comparative regional approach

This article analyzes islamization process occurred in the five central asian countries after their separation from soviet union in 1991, and ambivalent way in which authoritarian states reacted to this phenomenon to use it for political purposes and, at the same time, controlling its alleged subversive potential. in this sense, article intends to demonstrate that, with its particular nuances in each case, religion-state relationship after 1991 has been determined by a triple contradiction between, first, the growing islamic resurgence at societal level and states interest for using part of that religious symbolic capital to legitimize political regimes and prop up new national identities; second, between states' need to differentiate themselves from their former soviet identity and their continuity attitude regarding power exercise and religion perception; and third, between states authoritarian nature, interested in exercising strict control over religious sphere, and the emergence of religious activism opposed to interventionist and repressive governments policies, including the most radical forms of violent extremism.