Clash or Concordance? Women and Islam in Central Asia: The Case of Tajikistan

Abstract

The aim of this Thesis is to trace the relationship between Islam and the status of women throughout the latest history of the Republic of Tajikistan. To study such a topic, the following questions are raised: What can we learn about the relationship between Islam and the status of women in Tajikistan during the pre-Soviet, Soviet and modern times? How the state approached women and Islam? How do Muslims perceive women’s status in Islam in Tajikistan? What is the overall status of women in Tajikistan? Islamic Feminism is employed as part of the theoretical framework, while literatures review and interviews would serve as research methods useful to underpin my findings. Despite the vigorous emancipatory and anti-religious campaigns, Soviet policies did not effectively improve the status of women and defeat Islam influence. Today gender equality and freedom of conscience are proclaimed to be Tajikistan policy priority. However, as I found, it is not the case. The views of the Muslim clerics, theologians, and Muslim citizens on the relationship between Islam and women’s right are ambiguous. I found a correlation between the level of religious education and the positive perception of women’s status in Islam. This research is hoped to contribute to the debate on women's rights and Islam in Tajikistan and Central Asia.