To Moscow, Not Mecca: The Soviet Campaign Against Islam in Central Asia, 1917-1941

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The clash between Communism and Islam in the Soviet Union pitted two socio-political systems against one another, each proclaiming ultimate truth. This study examines the first decades of the struggle in Central Asia (1917-1941), where an ancient religious tradition faced an aggressive form of secular modernity. The Soviets attempted to break down Muslim culture and remold it on Marxist-Leninist lines. Central Asians played complex roles in this effort, both defending and attacking Islam, but mostly trying to survive. Despite Stalin's totalitarian aims, the Soviet regime in Central Asia was often weak even into the 1930s, and by 1941 the opposing systems had reached a standoff. The Communist Party pursued the destruction of Islam in stages, which reflected the development of Soviet political strength. The party developed propaganda that both attacked Islam and extrolled the new Soviet culture. However, the entire process was plagued by inefficiency, ignorance, and disobedience. By 1941, the Communists had inflicted tremendous damage, but customs such as circumcision, brideprice, and polygyny had merely gone underground. Central Asians had not exchanged the fundamental identity of "Muslim" for "Marxist-Leninist." Keller utilizes documents from Moscow and Tashkent, including the now-closed former Communist Party Archive of Uzbekistan.

Reviews

.,."addresses the Soviet campaigns to suppress Islamic institutions in Central Asia in the period before the Second World War."-Journal of Asian Studies
...addresses the Soviet campaigns to suppress Islamic institutions in Central Asia in the period before the Second World War.-Journal of Asian Studies
[A] major contribution to the field of modern Central Asian studies, and also to the modern history of the Islamic world.-The American Historical Review
Keller's book is one of the first to explore the Soviet treatment of Islam in Central Asia in this period, the revolutionary first decades of Soviet rule....Keller's conclusions about the survival of Islam and traditional Central Asian identities are particularly perspicacious. Keller's book is an important contribution to the literature.-Religious Studies Review
Keller's use of primary documents and astute scholarship shines through in this splendid work designed for professionals and advanced researchers.-Political Science Quarterly
These are broad issues that students of early Soviet Central Asia will have to grapple with as more works follow this pioneering study and benefit from the valuable contribution it makes to our understanding of a crucial period of modern Central Asian history.-The Russian Review
This substantial scholarly work traces the evolution of Tsarist Russian and Soviet policy toward Islam in Central Asia, especially the republic if Uzbekistan...Anyone who wants to understand the impact of Tsarist and Soviet policy on the place of Islam in Central Asian society should read this book.-Middle East Journal
This well-presented, erudite study examines the struggle in Central Asia between the atheistic Soviet communist regime and Islam's ancient religious and political traditions. Upper-division undergraduates and above.-Choice
"A major contribution to the field of modern Central Asian studies, and also to the modern history of the Islamic world."-The American Historical Review
..."addresses the Soviet campaigns to suppress Islamic institutions in Central Asia in the period before the Second World War."-Journal of Asian Studies
"[A] major contribution to the field of modern Central Asian studies, and also to the modern history of the Islamic world."-The American Historical Review
"Keller's use of primary documents and astute scholarship shines through in this splendid work designed for professionals and advanced researchers."-Political Science Quarterly
"These are broad issues that students of early Soviet Central Asia will have to grapple with as more works follow this pioneering study and benefit from the valuable contribution it makes to our understanding of a crucial period of modern Central Asian history."-The Russian Review
"This substantial scholarly work traces the evolution of Tsarist Russian and Soviet policy toward Islam in Central Asia, especially the republic if Uzbekistan...Anyone who wants to understand the impact of Tsarist and Soviet policy on the place of Islam in Central Asian society should read this book."-Middle East Journal
"This well-presented, erudite study examines the struggle in Central Asia between the atheistic Soviet communist regime and Islam's ancient religious and political traditions. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice
"Keller's book is one of the first to explore the Soviet treatment of Islam in Central Asia in this period, the revolutionary first decades of Soviet rule....Keller's conclusions about the survival of Islam and traditional Central Asian identities are particularly perspicacious. Keller's book is an important contribution to the literature."-Religious Studies Review

Author Bio

SHOSHANA KELLER is an Associate Professor of Russian/Soviet History at Hamilton College. Her research and training center on the multinational character of the Soviet Union and integrating Russian history into that of the Eurasian continent as a whole.