Overlapping Consensus Between Islamic Movement ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ and National Movement ‘Tengriism’

Abstract

Identity building process is important driver behind socio-political changes of the Kyrgyz Republic. This thesis is dedicated to track development of discussion between two main religious streams that in author’s opinion shape formation of identity – local traditional culture within Kyrgyz ethnic society that is linked to Tengriism and Islamic religion. In recent years we could observe open and intensified confrontation between two movements concentrated around them. Traditionalists support preservation of traditional culture with its distinct identity and complex religious world view where Islamists wants to ‘purify’ Islam. Proposed purification process of Islam among ethnic Kyrgyz population might cause further escalation of conflict between ‘pure’ Kyrgyz Muslim and Traditional and ‘pagan’ Kyrgyz Muslims. With account of such prediction, the work tries to search for possible overlapping consensus between conflicting parts. To achieve this author discussed with their representatives. This resulted with definition of their aims, possible cooperation and obstacles to cooperate.