Muslims Seek to Defuse Political Tensions

Muslim communities or “jamaats” in Kyrgyzstan are preparing to stand between the authorities and the opposition in an effort to keep the peace during next week’s protests. Some NBCentralAsia commentators welcome this positive yet neutral stance, while others say religious groups should stay out of politics.



In statement made on April 3, a group representing Bishkek’s Muslim communities said they will address mosque congregations ahead of the opposition demonstrations schedule for April 11. They will urge Muslims to remain neutral in Kyrgyzstan’s political struggle.



Members of the group, which represents around 20 “jamaat” communities, say the impending confrontation could lead the country into civil war, and this danger has compelled to mediate between the authorities and the opposition. If their calls are not heeded, the jamaat representatives will form a separate group to form a barrier between supporters of the authorities and the opposition during the protests.



According to Ozbek Chotonov, a representative of one jamaat, Muslim organisations cannot stand by as passive observers.



“At such a dangerous time, we cannot be passive, detached onlookers. Kyrgyzstan is threatened with civil war. We want peace and harmony in this country,” he said.



Tursunbek Akun, head of the presidential committee on human rights said, “We should welcome the Muslim jamaats’ concern about the political situation. They are Kyrgyz citizens too and they care about the country’s future.”



However, Akun said it would be better if the jamaats confined themselves to calling for consensus and stayed away from central Bishkek on April 11.



Political scientist Mars Sariev thinks jamaats should not intervene in the political confrontation, as this might conflict with the basic principle of the separation between religion and state.



“The secular authorities shouldn’t let religious groups intervene in the dispute between the regime and the opposition. Down the line, this could lead to Muslim groups continuing to interfere in the way the state is governed.”



Toktogul Kakchekeev, a political scientist and spokesman for the prosecutor general’s office, agrees that if Muslim groups are strongly represented at the rallies, they might seek a more active role in politics subsequently.



(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)