Kyrgyzstan’s Approach to Secularism: Formulation and Implementation

Abstract

After the Soviet Union collapsed, all post-Soviet countries declared secularism, but each interpreted it differently. While Russia’s constitution is secular, the Russian Orthodox Church has gained significant influence. Kazakhstan follows a form of "controlled secularism," and Uzbekistan continues Soviet-era restrictions on religious expression. Kyrgyzstan’s constitution is based on secularism, which ensures freedom of religion and separates religion from the state. However, the Kyrgyz government has faced challenges in balancing religious freedom with growing religious influence. For example, in 2014, it favored the Hanafi branch of Islam and the Russian Orthodox Church, which contradicts secularism’s principle of neutrality. The study's research question is how does the Kyrgyz state formulate and then implement the principles of secularism? The study utilized qualitative methods by interviewing experts and analyzing policy papers. The study found that Secularism in Kyrgyzstan encounters various challenges stemming from historical, cultural, and practical influences. A key issue is the common misunderstanding of secularism, with many individuals, including some government officials, equating it with atheism. This misconception contributes to a lack of trust in state institutions, further compounded by insufficient public awareness and education about the core principles of secularism. The study highlights a trend of state monopolization of the religious sphere under the Hanafi school, represented by institutions like the Muftat. This approach contradicts the core secular principle of separating state and religious institutions. Despite this, Kyrgyzstan remains relatively tolerant, though balancing religious openness with national security and social stability is challenging.