An examination of sufism's resistance against the regime in the Soviet period (1922-1991)

Abstract

The introduction frames the main issues underscoring the contributions made by eminent scholars such as Bennigsen, Rahman, and Froese articulating Sufism and its major role in preserving traditional Islam under the Soviet regime. Taking into consideration divergent explanations on the protection of Islam in the existing scholarship, the author emphasizes the role of Sufi brotherhoods in preserving Islam while retaining the core values of Islam despite the violent persecution by the anti-Islam campaign. This article adheres to objective, unbiased principles during the study, while also laying the base for further research. This research intends to reveal the role of Sufi brotherhoods in protecting Islam in Central Asia during the Soviet regime that was hostile against Islam. Thus, the contribution of Sufism in protecting Islam is analyzed by examining the resistance of Sufism against the Soviet regime. This scholarship, in order to validate the claim made throughout the research, will mostly draw upon the existing secondary materials from the research of Bennigsen who carried out comprehensive research on the role of Sufism in Central Asia between 1930-1989. This study employs the historical method in evaluating the role of Sufi brotherhoods. Thus, the first part covers the role of underground mosques and sacred venues in protecting Islam by demonstrating the case studies of Keller and the examination of Bennigsen. This is followed by the analysis of the role of Muslim clerics who assumed the main responsibility in perpetuating Islamic education. Subsequently, the final part emphasizes the moral virtues of Sufism, such as compliance and tolerance, which they applied in resisting the communist regime.