Tabyshalieva, Anara. "The Kyrgyz and the Spiritual Dimensions of Daily Life." In Islam and Central Asia: An Enduring Legacy or an Evolving Threat?, edited by R. Z. Sagdeev and Susan Eisenhower, 27-38. A Center for Political and Strategic Studies book. Washington, DC: Center for Political and Strategic Studies, 2000.

Tabyshalieva's first two sections briefly discuss sacred sites in Kyrgyzstan, including Suleiman's Mountain in Osh.  The third and fourth sections discuss religious pluralism.  She divides Kyrgyzstan into three parts: Bishkek with Christian groups; the North with "traditional" Islam; and the South with "strict" Islam.  The section on women briefly discusses the veil, polygamy, abortion, and male-domination.  The last section discusses political issues in other Central Asian countries.  In conclusion, she argues that Central Asian states should be more transparent and open with religion in order to prevent conflicts.  Tabyshalieva's chapter covers a lot of material, but not in depth.


Sections: The Role of Islam in Daily Life; Osh as an Important Religious Center; The Kyrgyz Policy of Religious Pluralism; Muslim Versus Muslim; Gender Issue; Geopolitical Dimension; Conclusion.  Descriptors: 2000s, ancestors, chapter, diversity, general knowledge, history, Kyrgyz, Kyrgyzstan, Osh, post-Soviet, sacred sites, Solomon's Mountain, T, women; pluralism.