Most of the population professes Islam and recognizes it as an integral part of their culture. There is no state religion in Turkmenistan, and the country's constitution provides for freedom of belief. Although Islam is widespread, there is a low commitment to religion in relation to other countries. Muslims in Turkmenistan do not attend services so strictly, but recognize the need to restore the importance of the language as an important element in the revival of the country.
Religious demography
Considering the religion of Turkmenistan as a percentage, it is worth noting that Islam has the largest share of the country's population - 89%. Sunni Islam is the most practiced branch among Muslims in the country. The minority religion in Turkmenistan is Christianity with 9%. Other beliefs in the country make up only 2% of the population.
The emergence of many beliefs can be correlated with 20th-century European immigration to Turkmenistan. A significant number of immigrants are Russians, Armenians, Poles and Germans. Most of these immigrants consider themselves Orthodox Christians, Catholics, or Lutherans. Smaller Christian communities are Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, and Pentecostals.
History of Islam in Turkmenistan
Before the advent of Islam in the religions of Turkmenistan, he, like many of his neighbors from Central Asia, had Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity as the dominant religions. Sufi sheikhs were entrusted with the spread of Islam and its introduction into the country. They were accepted as the “founders” of certain ethnic groups or clans, which subsequently laid the foundation for extremely localized changes in the religion of Turkmenistan for some time. Part of the Turkmen tribal structure is a holy tribe called övlat. Six of the holy tribes are active, and each of them is believed to trace its origin to the Prophet Muhammad through one of the caliphs. Övlat members maintain a certain level of spiritual authority today.
Islam in Turkmenistan was severely suppressed during the Soviet era under atheistic doctrines. Mosques throughout the country were closed, and authorities banned various Islamic customs. Only in 1990 in independent Turkmenistan began to revive religion. Islam was studied in educational institutions, and mosques and religious schools were erected throughout the country.
Religion in Turkmenistan over time has become a mixture of Sunni Islam, Sufi mysticism and Zoroastrianism, as well as shamanistic traditions. Such shamanistic customs include widespread beliefs in witchcraft, evil eye and amulets. Shiite Islam is mainly practiced by immigrants such as Iranians and Kurds.
Modern islam
The current government controls official Islam through a structure inherited from the Soviet period. The Muslim Religious Council of Turkmenistan, together with Uzbekistan, is the Muslim religious administration of Mawarannahr. It was founded in Tashkent and has a significant impact on the appointment of religious leaders in the country. The governing body of Islamic judges (Kaziat) is registered with the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan, and the Council on Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers monitors the activities of the clergy. Persons wishing to become members of the official clergy must attend official religious institutions; however, some of them can prove their qualifications simply by passing the exam.
Since 1990, efforts have been made to restore part of the cultural heritage lost during the Soviet era. President Niyazov has ordered that basic Islamic principles be taught in public schools. More religious institutions appeared, including schools and mosques, many of which were established with the support of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey. Religious classes are taught with the teaching of the Qur'an and Hadith, as well as the history of Islam in Arabic.
Some government leaders and teachers working outside the official structure have promised to increase public awareness of Islam, expand the role of religion in society, and strengthen commitment to its principles. Alarmed that such intensification could exacerbate tensions between Sunnis and Shiites and especially alienate Orthodox Slavs, the government has developed plans to raise the Council of Religious Affairs to the status of a ministry in order to more strictly regulate religious activities
Religious freedom in the country
Turkmenistan is a peaceful state and provides freedom of religion for its citizens. But unregistered religious activity is illegal, including the creation of places of worship (altars), worship and the distribution of religious materials. All religious activities in the country are monitored and supervised by the Council for Religious Affairs (CRA).
Minority religious groups do not have representation on the Council, which impedes and impedes their activities and obtaining permission for it in the CRA. The media reported that unregistered religious groups were harassed, fined, imprisoned and deported. Ethnic Turkmens who are converted to other religions face the highest level of social problems. The religious landscape of Turkmenistan is relatively unfavorable for minorities.
Religion and law
Criminal and administrative codes prohibit persecution of registered religious groups, but the ban does not apply to unregistered ones. Authorities usually do not use it due to the lack of reports from registered religious groups that have expressed concern that the authorities have increased prosecution or control over their activities. The administrative code provides for a punishment of 200-500 manat (70-176 US dollars) for officials violating the human right to freedom of worship or abstention from it, as well as fines of up to 10,000 manat (3,521 US dollars) for religious groups receiving unauthorized donations from outside the country.
Mysticism and the power of amulets
Turkmens believe in conspiracies and amulets, which they consider endowed with special magical powers. It is believed that beads, bird feathers, ram horns and other objects can drive away evil spirits, cause good ones and protect their owners from various troubles and misfortunes. These gizmos can be in the form of an eye, a heart, a snake’s head, small shells or scarab beetles. Amulets and talismans, and related images are found in carpets, embroidery and clothing, as well as jewelry.
Magic powers have been attributed to certain types of fruits, seeds, and grains for hundreds of years. One of the earliest amulets was a necklace made from seeds of jida, pomegranate, pistachio and clove. According to ancient beliefs, the strong smell of these plants could protect the wearer from the evil eye, and a woman dressed in such a necklace could quickly become pregnant.