Securitization of Non-Traditional’ Islam: Analysis of Kazakh Scholarship

Abstract

This research identifies to what extent the Kazakh academia performs securitization. Securitisation theory developed by Copenhagen school of security studies claims that security is socially constructed and Securitisation is a process when something is presented as a security issue. The Kazakh authorities divide Islam into ‘traditional’ and ‘non-traditional’. There are opinion that ‘non-traditional’ Islam in Kazakhstan is securitised by the government thus, presented as a threat. I argue that not only thee state authorities can securitise an issue, but academia also has such ability. Through the discourse analysis I argue that Kazakh scholarship accepting the securitization from the officials, presents non-traditional’ Islam as threat, hence the Kazakh scholarship securitise Islam.