Religion in Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz Republic since its independence in 1991, a secular state, but Islam plays a significant role.

Islam

The country is predominantly Muslim since the Islamization of the 10-12th century. 75 % of the inhabitants are Sunni Muslims today the Hanafi. The new religion was mixed with old traditional customs. The Russian researcher Valihanov wrote that Islam " just a sheath was placed over ancient shamanistic beliefs " is.

In the 1920s, the Communist Party of similarities of socialism and Islam spoke. However, a Sufi brotherhood against the new rulers organized. They founded the rebel group the Basmachis. The movement joined many farmers who wanted to prevent the nationalization of their fields. Soon the movement was, however, shattered, while the state-imposed atheism has been introduced. Mosques and Islamic schools were closed. But the old traditions could survive.

After independence and the government influence on religion has been relaxed as part of the market economy and political reconstruction. This was followed by the establishment of one " moderate" Islam, consisting of traditional values ​​and nomadic elements. This popular character of faith was revived, especially among ex-president Askar Akayev and played an important role in the process of national integration. Now, however, voices are raised, who work for a wortgetreuere, more international interpretation of Islam.

Christianity

Christianity is the second largest religious group today. Early Christians were already in the 7th century. These belonged to the Nestorian Church, which consists only in Iraq, Iran and Syria today. In Ak - Besim and Navekat was unearthed two houses of worship.

Russian orthodoxy

The Russian Orthodox Church has in Kyrgyzstan since the 19th century. Under the Governor merchant settled since 1868, many Russian and Ukrainian settlers down. This Russian built churches.

Some of the old buildings are now used again for worship. About 20 percent of the population are Russian Orthodox.

Evangelical Christians

The Protestant Christianity arrived by German settlers ( Kirgisistandeutsche ) or by the forced relocation Russia German in the 1940s to Kyrgyzstan.

• The Mennonites ( Altevangelische ) founded 1882-1901 several colonies in Kyrgyzstan. From which today only Red Front ( mountain valley ) is inhabited by Mennonites.
• In the 1940s, Lutherans came to Kyrgyzstan; they belong to the ELCROS. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of the ethnic German Lutherans emigrated to Germany. Due to active missionary work there in Kyrgyzstan today but again 17 municipalities. Today there are still 30 % of the members of German descent.
• Since the turn are also increasingly free churches, mainly Baptists and Seventh- day Adventist Church, active in Kyrgyzstan. Also Adventism passed through the Russian-Germans there. Today, however, almost all believers are locals.

Catholic Christians

The Roman Catholic Church is one in Kyrgyzstan 30,000 worshipers. During the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. was founded in the Apostolic Administration Kyrgyzstan in 2006 from the Mission sui juris existing since 1997.

Shamanism

Even today there are still many among the Kyrgyz ancient shamanistic traditions. The blending of these pagan rites with Islam is referred to as folk Islam.

Buddhism

Before the Islamization of the 8th century, Buddhism was widespread in Talastal. Extensive evidence of them are as near Ak - Beshim.

Judaism

The less than a hundred remaining Jews in Kyrgyzstan are mainly Bukharian Jews. Many of them came from the Emirate of Bukhara. There is also a small minority of Ashkenazi Jews. Most Jews of Kyrgyzstan have emigrated to the end of the Soviet era to Israel, Germany or the United States.

Ancient religions

In Kyrgyzstan occurred throughout history in several different religions that no longer exist there or in general. These are to include:

• Zoroastrianism
• Manichaeism
• Nestorian Christianity