Muslim Organizations at the End of 2005
The Islamic religion is represented in the republic by two schools (madhhabs) of Sunni tradition — followers of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Shafi'i, united in one religious organization — the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK).
In 1996, the 1st Kurultai of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan was held. It approved a new charter of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK) and elected the Council of Ulema — the elected governing body of DUMK. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims has done significant work to organize the structure of Islam, conducted certification of spiritual leaders, and continues work on the registration of mosques and madrasas.
Currently, there are more than 48 Islamic religious educational institutions, including eight Islamic institutes and one higher university. Nine qaziats and the southern representation of DUMK in the city of Osh form a unified network of Islamic organizations in Kyrgyzstan.
Religious organizations and clergy actively participate in national programs "Ara-ket," "Ardager," "Zhashtyk," Year of Mountains, KOR.
There are concerns among representatives of traditional religious organizations (Islam and Orthodoxy) and society as a whole regarding the activation of activities and the emergence of new, little-known reactionary religious sects and groups, such as the Unification Church, the Church of Scientology and Dianetics, the Higher Universal Spiritual Church of Daoism, the Falun Gong organization, "Yaharishe," and followers of Sri Chinmoy.
Particular alarm is raised by the activities of extremist and terrorist religious-political organizations: Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami, Akromiya, Baiyat, IDU, IDT.
The main directions for the development of the sovereign state of Kyrgyzstan include the preservation of interethnic and religious harmony, stability in society, ensuring tolerant relations between followers of different religions, and the participation of religious organizations in nationwide programs, projects, and actions.
