Islamic education in Russia: Local experience and the influence of the Middle East

Occupation: Associate Professor, HSE University; Senior Researcher, Institute for African Studies RAS and RUDN University
Affiliation:
HSE University & Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
RUDN University
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Alisa R. Shishkina

Occupation: Senior Researcher HSE University and Institute for African Studies RAS
Affiliation: HSE University & Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Eugeniy Ivanov

Occupation: Junior Researcher, Lecturer, School of Politics and Governance, HSE University; Junior Researcher, RUDN University
Affiliation:
HSE University
RUDN University
Address: Russian Federation

Journal name

Asia and Africa Today

Edition

Issue 1

Pages

5-14

Abstract

The collapse of the Soviet system in the North Caucasus was accompanied by re-Islamization, which, among other things, was facilitated by growing influence of the religious and governmental actors from the Middle East. The upsurge of Islam manifested the increased demand for religious education. Some Muslims in Russia, mostly middle-age ones, and the elders, stood for restoration of pre-Soviet Islamic traditions. Others, the youth, oriented to the Middle East. In Russia non-secular schools and universities are still poorly regulated by the state, and therefore Islamic educational centers remain in the "grey zone". On the other hand, being excluded from the state-based system of public school and higher education, unregulated Islamic education in the North Caucasus may shape a seething environment for socio-political destabilization. The authors conclude that two dimensions can be distinguished in the context of the problems and challenges of the Islamic education system in Russia. The first, short-term one, is associated with the modernization of the teaching format itself. It implies introduction of general humanitarian subjects and disciplines in educational programs. As for the long-term prospects, in this case it would be possible to refer to the experience of the world's leading religious educational centers. Modern Russian Islamic educational centers may borrow its organizational model and branding strategy without hiring foreign lecturers. Eventually, the system should become a self-reproductive one under which graduates would make up a stratum of teachers, scholars and other professionals including those whose activity is not related to Islam directly.

Keywords

Russia, North Caucasus, Dagestan, Middle East, Islamic education, Islam, terrorism

Acknowledgment

The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation (research project No. 19-18-00155 "Islamist extremism in the context of international security: threats for Russia and opportunities for counteraction").

Received

29.09.2021

Publication date

28.01.2022

Number of characters

33769

Cite

GOST	Issaev L., Shishkina A., Ivanov E. Islamic education in Russia: Local experience and the influence of the Middle East // Asia and Africa Today – 2022. – Issue 1 C. 5-14 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://asaf-today.ru/S032150750018302-4-1 (circulation date: 20.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S032150750018302-4
MLA	Issaev, Leonid M, Shishkina, Alisa R, Ivanov, Eugeniy "Islamic education in Russia: Local experience and the influence of the Middle East." Asia and Africa Today 1 (2022):5-14. DOI: 10.31857/S032150750018302-4
APA	Issaev L., Shishkina A., Ivanov E. (2022). Islamic education in Russia: Local experience and the influence of the Middle East. Asia and Africa Today (1), pp.5-14 DOI: 10.31857/S032150750018302-4

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