When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Central Asian Republics had independence thrust upon them. They did not actively seek it. Furthermore, there no were strong nationalist movements in Central Asia seeking independence. None of the Central Asian Republics had a history of national existence prior to either the Soviet Union or that of the Tsarist Empire. Hence, the primary source of loyalty of Central Asian peoples under the Soviet Union was not full the Communist State. Rather, a multiplicity's of loyalties existed and continue to do so. These loyalities range form the clan, tribe, family, republic and to Islam, with Islam having a powerful influence on social mores and identity. Upon independence, Islam competed with peoples loyalties to the new states. Some scores years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Central Asia is now rediscovering its historic Islamic roots as a center for study and enlightenment despite some autocracies, which only tolerate only a state-approved version of Islam. The re-emergence of Muslim states of the former Soviet Union sparked the emergence of an ideological battle ground. This paper provides some answers to this question: What the Islam does mean in Central Asia. And it focuss on the arrival, settlement and transformations of Islam in Central Asia. Implementation of Islam was completed in the eighth century A.D., and brought to the region a new belief and culture that until now continues to be dominant. The paper briefly examines the story of this Islamic region under the Tsarist Empire and the first Russian Revolution and Soviet times; the impact of Gorbachev and his reforms, culminating in the independence of the region in 1991. The average Muslim within Central Asia has not received much respite. Many thought the collapse of the Soviet Union would permit them to return to Islam as they whole-heartedly desired. The regimes though have had other ideas. The repression the Muslims suffered at the hands of the Soviet Union, continues in a new guise under the newly independent Central Asian regimes.
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