This two-part podcast series is part of a Regional Policy Dialogue organized in early 2021 by the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, in cooperation with the European Neighbourhood Council, and with the support of the Hollings Center for International Dialogue. Held over February and March 2021, the organizers gathered together a group of experts, representatives of civil society, and government officials to discuss the emergence of Islamic civil society in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, including Islamic charities, mosques, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and social media.
Podcast One
This is the first part of a two-part podcast that discusses Islamic Civil Society throughout Central Asia. What is considered Islamic Civil Society? How is it divided? How does it operate? And, how are they funded? The panel dives deeper into the concept.
Featured on this podcast:
- Emil Nasritdinov, Dr, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Coordinate, Anthropology, Urbanism and International Development MA Program, American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan.
- Sebastien Jean Peyrouse, Research Professor, Central Asia Program, IERES, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, USA.
- Zamira Dildorbekova, Programme Leader at the Department of Graduate Studies, the Institute of Ismaili Studies, United Kingdom.
- Andreas Marazis, Head of Research for Eastern Europe & Central Asia, European Neighborhood Council, Belgium.
Podcast Two
This is the second part of a two-part podcast that discusses Islamic Civil Society throughout Central Asia. Central Asians, in particular the younger generation, are demanding that Islam play more of a role in daily life. But governments of Central Asia have adopted strict secularism–framing some religious activities as threats. The panel discusses the challenges faced by these civil society organizations.
Featured on this podcast:
- Noah Tucker, Program Associate at the Elliot School of International Relations, Central Asia Program, George Washington University and a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.
- David Montgomery, Associate Research Professor in the Department of Government and Politics and the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland, College Park.
- Rano Turaeva, Lecturer at Luwig Maximillian University and Associate Researcher at Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Germany.
- Andreas Marazis, Head of Research for Eastern Europe & Central Asia, European Neighborhood Council, Belgium.
